Asbestos Testing Colorado Springs are essentials for any homeowner who plans a renovation project. It helps homeowners avoid expensive remediation costs and gives assurance to tradesmen that the work site is safe.
Asbestos-containing material in good condition poses no threat unless it is disturbed, which releases fibers into the air that can be inhaled and cause health problems. However, many older homes contain asbestos materials that need to be tested before any repairs or demolition can begin.
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that have been extensively used in building materials in the past due to their strength, flexibility, and acoustic properties. While the use of asbestos in many applications has now been banned, there are still over 3,000 different types of materials that may contain asbestos. When these materials are disturbed, they break down into tiny, airborne fibers that can be inhaled. Exposure to these fibers can lead to a variety of diseases, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
The best way to identify if a material contains asbestos is to take a sample and submit it for laboratory testing. This can be done by a licensed and accredited asbestos analyst in an approved laboratory. Before taking a sample, cover any adjacent areas with plastic sheeting to prevent contamination. Then carefully cut a small piece from the suspected asbestos-containing material. Place the sample in a clean container such as a 35-mm film canister, a high-quality resealable plastic bag, or a small glass or plastic vial. Seal the container and label it with a clearly visible identification number.
Many hazardous materials and chemicals produce an explicit odor, but asbestos does not. It is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless substance. This makes it difficult to spot without a microscope or other laboratory equipment. Even then, there are a lot of situations where asbestos cannot be identified with a visual inspection alone.
Asbestos can still be found in a large number of domestic buildings, especially homes built before 1990. It was commonly used in floor tiles, glues, cladding, and insulation. It can also be present in other building products such as Artex, linoleums, drywall and joint compounds, and exterior stucco.
Most products containing asbestos are no longer being used, but there are still millions of buildings containing legacy asbestos. While most of these have been properly encapsulated and sealed, many others will be disturbed during renovation or demolition work. This is why it is so important to have asbestos testing conducted before undertaking any renovation or demolition work on a residential property. This test can provide peace of mind that the asbestos is not being disturbed and causing a health risk.
Sampling
Although asbestos was banned for use in construction materials, it may still be present in older homes. If the material is damaged or disturbed, it can become airborne. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested and lead to serious health complications. An asbestos survey is necessary to determine whether the materials pose a risk. An asbestos inspection should only be conducted by a fully licensed and insured testing firm. Ideally, the inspection firm should have a certified industrial hygienist on staff and show proof of professional liability insurance coverage.
Various regulations stipulate specific numbers of samples to be taken from each type of material. It is not enough to simply test for dust or scrapings, which can be blown around the building during construction and maintenance activities. The sampling process should be completed in a way that minimizes the generation of airborne asbestos particles. This requires shutting down heating and cooling systems, using plastic sheeting to cover carpets and furniture, and wetting the suspect material with a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent prior to collecting a sample. It is also recommended that the person taking the sample wear a disposable coverall and a respirator with an appropriate N95 rating. Once the sampling is complete, it is important to wet-wipe down tools and the immediate area with soapy water. The samples should then be placed in a secure and labeled bag for transport to the laboratory.
The types of materials that are most likely to contain asbestos include roofing and insulation. Often, these materials are deteriorating and need repair or removal. It is also possible that drywall or other wallboard may be affected. Even newer materials, such as shingles, may contain asbestos. An asbestos survey should be conducted prior to attempting any repairs or remodeling of these materials.
In addition to sampling, an inspector should note the location of any ACMs and a description of the material’s condition. This information is essential for the preparation of a comprehensive asbestos survey report, which will serve as documentation and support for any recommendations regarding remediation or repair.
Analysis
A sample from a suspect asbestos-containing material is sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. The lab may use a variety of accepted techniques, including x-ray powder diffraction, optical microscopy (generally polarized light microscopy), or electron microscopy (usually scanning or transmission).
Analytical laboratories follow published guidelines and standards for the type and amount of analysis required to determine asbestos content. These methods are based on scientific and technical literature as well as historical epidemiological data. The standards are designed to protect human health by ensuring that a material is not released into the environment where it poses an unacceptable risk of exposure or harm.
Various regulations stipulate the number of samples that must be taken from each material type. This is due to the fact that not all materials will contain asbestos, and even if the sample contains asbestos, the concentration may vary from one area of the material to another. To ensure that the correct quantity of asbestos is found, the laboratory must analyze several samples.
The most common method used to determine asbestos in bulk samples is x-ray powder diffraction. This is a reliable method, but it does not distinguish between asbestos and non-asbestos minerals. Consequently, if a sample is mixed with a non-asbestos mineral, the analysis result will be inaccurate.
Optical microscopy is also commonly employed to identify and count asbestos fibers in airborne and bulk samples. This technique is most useful for analyzing chrysotile and amphibole asbestos materials. The analyst looks for specific characteristics of the crystalline structure and dimensions to identify the mineral type. Then, the analyst counts all of the recognizable fibers in the sample.
In addition to identifying asbestos, the analytical procedure must determine whether the material is friable or non-friable. Friable asbestos is more hazardous than non-friable asbestos because it easily breaks and releases dangerous fibers into the air. Non-friable asbestos is less of a danger because it is strongly bound by other strong materials that prevent the release of any harmful fibers.
Remediation
A number of remediation techniques are available for contaminated materials. These include sealing (encapsulation) or covering, which involve applying a coating that either binds the fibers together or covers them so they can’t be released into the air. This is used for materials such as pipe and furnace insulation. Another option is to remove the material completely. This may be necessary when major renovations are planned or if the material is damaged beyond repair.
It’s important to note that any type of asbestos can cause health problems if the fibers are inhaled. The health effects of asbestos are related to the length and intensity of exposure. They vary from person to person and can include respiratory distress, lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other types of cancer.
In order to diagnose asbestos-related health conditions, healthcare professionals will conduct a comprehensive physical examination and review the patient’s medical, work, and cultural histories. They also use tools like chest x-rays and pulmonary function tests to help make the diagnosis.
Asbestos can still be found in many homes and buildings today. When a homeowner discovers damage to a wall, floor, or ceiling, it’s important to call a professional asbestos surveyor. The surveyor will be able to identify the potentially hazardous material and arrange for a sample to be taken and tested.
The surveyor will need to have full access to the area in which the suspect material is located, including any crawl spaces or mechanical rooms. The asbestos analyst will then mount the suspect fiber on a microscope slide and place it in a polarized light microscopy (PLM) analysis device. This enables the analyst to determine which kind of asbestos is present in the sample.
Using the results of the laboratory analysis, the asbestos investigator will complete an ACP-5 form. This forms the basis for a decision on how to proceed with any remediation work that might be needed.
The most common way that asbestos fibers enter the human body is through breathing. When the body comes into contact with these fibers, they irritate the tissue inside the lungs and can remain trapped there for a long time. This is one of the primary reasons why asbestos testing and an asbestos survey are so important: to ensure that any occupants of a building remain safe from this silent killer.
