We Provide Testing For Asbestos:

Keeping Our Clients & Their Homes Safe

Step 1: Do not in any way disturb the area you are testing.

Do not attempt to clean any item or area you intend to collect a sample from, in case asbestos also exists in the surface dust. Ensure still air in your work area so that any microscopic fibers do not become airborne. Shut all the windows and doors and turn off all fans, heaters, and air conditioning systems that circulate air.

Step 2: Outfit yourself in disposable protective gear.

Don all of your protective gear: face mask, gloves, coveralls (or long sleeves and long pants), and shoe covers. You’ll need to discard whatever you’re wearing during asbestos removal, so spending $5 to $10 on disposables is well worth it. Do not allow anyone in the area who is not wearing protective gear.

Step 3: Blanket the work area in plastic sheeting and mist all surfaces with water.

Lay plastic sheeting around the work area to catch any potential asbestos dust that may settle. Spray the entire area thoroughly with water, so that all the surfaces are misted and the air is humid. This will help ensure that any disturbed dust quickly settles.

Step 4: Carefully isolate a material sample and mist it with water.

Working as passively as possible to minimize dust, use a utility knife or chisel to loosen a sample of the material you wish to test. The sample must weigh between 5 grams and 100 grams (just under 1/4 lb). Without touching the loosened sample, spray it down with water and mist the air around you.

Step 5: Use protected pliers to transfer the sample to a zip-locking plastic bag.

Place a wet wipe in the mouth of the pliers, which will prevent microscopic fibers from sticking to the pliers. Carefully pick up the sample with the pliers and place it inside a zip-locking plastic bag. Drop the wet wipe in as well.

Step 6: Seal and label the zip-locking plastic bag.

Seal the plastic bag. At the top of the bag, neatly print the following information in reasonably small letters: where the sample was taken, the date of collection, and what the sample contains. Now place this sealed bag into a second zip-locking plastic bag to be sure it stays secure. Mist the air one more time to ensure dust settles.

Step 7: Carefully dispose of the plastic sheeting laid in Step 3.

Carefully fold up the plastic sheeting and dispose of it in a plastic trash bag. Fold down the top of the plastic bag and securely tape, it shut to contain any fibers.

Step 8: Vacuum the testing area and carefully dispose of the vacuum’s contents.

Thoroughly vacuum the area. Once done, carefully replace the vacuum bag and dispose of the old ones in a plastic trash bag, taping the bag shut as you did with the plastic sheet, to contain particles. If you use a bagless vacuum, put the canister inside a trash bag and carefully tap out all dirt and dust. Use a wet rag to thoroughly wipe the canister down. Dispose of this rag in a plastic trash bag. Repeat the wipe-down with a wet wipe or two, just to be thorough. Dispose of these along with the rag.

Step 9: Clean the area with moistened cloths, the carefully dispose of the cloths.

Clean the entire work area and anything nearby where dust may have landed with another wet rag. Dispose of the rag with the others, and tape that bag closed.

Step 10: Paint over the area from which you loosened a sample (then discard the paintbrush).

Seal the area from which you took the sample by applying a thick, thorough coat of any kind of paint. When the paint dries it will prevent any more dust from kicking up. Discard the paintbrush in a plastic bag.

Step 11: Carefully remove and dispose of the protective gear worn during the process.

Carefully remove your coveralls or clothes, facemask, and gloves, and dispose of them in the trash bag with the paintbrush and tape it up. Dispose of all trash correctly.