Removing asbestos from your home is an important safety measure that improves indoor air quality and protects your respiratory health. Astech dedicates themselves identifying for Bridgeport area homeowners areas of possible contamination. They also safely collect samples for testing a laboratory for confirmation. If the tests show asbestos is present, Astech will find the most effective removal method, eliminating the hazard and reduce your risk of prolonged asbestos exposure.

Although asbestos is known for its fibrous appearance, a mere visual inspection is not enough to confirm contamination. Samples of the material in question need to be collected and submitted to a testing laboratory. Here’s what you can expect when you call Astech to gather samples from your home.

1. Pre-Collection Safety Measures

For your safety, the testing area is isolated from the rest of your home. The isolation includes keeping the rest of your family away from the testing area. Before collecting the sample, your technician will take steps to limit the possibility of airborne fibers. These measures include shutting down your heating and cooling system and spraying the area with a water and detergent solution.

1. Sample Collection Procedures

There are two types of asbestos samples – friable materials, materials that can be crushed into a powder and non-friable materials, those that aren’t crushable. Your technician will need to collect one teaspoon of friable materials or one square inch of non-friable materials. The samples are then packed with a damp paper towel in a clearly labeled plastic bag.

1. Submitting Your Samples to the Testing Lab

Once your samples are collected, they need to be sent to a testing lab that is part of the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program. Asbestos testing can be performed using polarized light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PLM testing labs primarily work with bulk samples of materials like thermal insulation, spray coatings, and tiles. TEM testing labs examine both air testing and bulk samples and can identify asbestos by its crystalline structure.

Asbestos testing can help you improve your home’s safety and your family’s health. Visit Astech online to learn more about their testing and removal services. Call (203) 335-0502 to receive an estimate for your home.