When to Test
If the building was constructed before the 1990s, there’s a likelihood it contains asbestos-containing materials. Testing is the sole method to confirm the presence of asbestos in suspected materials. Recognizing asbestos as a health hazard, both the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have stringent regulations.
This service includes one sample, with additional samples available for an extra charge.
Understanding Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil. Clumps of mined asbestos can be broken down into loose fibers, or fiber bundles, and mixed with other materials, such as cement, to produce a variety of building products. Asbestos was widely used during the 20th century until the 1970s, when public recognition of the health hazards of asbestos dust led to its prohibition in mainstream construction and fireproofing in most countries. Although asbestos hazards started to become more widely known in the 1970s, many houses built before 1990 contain asbestos cement materials, especially at the eaves, internal and external wall cladding, ceilings (particularly in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries), and fences. It can also be found in the drywall or sheathing around electrical wires. Further evaluation and testing by an asbestos lab or professional is recommended regardless of test results for all buildings or homes built before 1990, particularly if significant renovations are planned.
Dangers of Asbestos
Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is made worse by smoking. In general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects.
Disease symptoms may take many years to develop following exposure.
Asbestos-related conditions can be difficult to identify. Healthcare providers usually identify the possibility of asbestos exposure and related health conditions like lung disease by taking a thorough medical history. This includes looking at the person’s medical, work, cultural, and environmental histories.
After a doctor suspects an asbestos-related health condition, he or she can use a number of tools to help make the actual diagnosis. Physical examination, chest x-rays, and pulmonary function tests are examples of these tools. Your doctor may also refer you to a specialist who treats diseases caused by asbestos.
Some of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are: Pleural plaques, lung cancer, mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart), and asbestosis (a serious, progressive, long-term, non-cancer disease of the lungs).
What's Included in This Test
We provide a detailed lab report with the analysis of asbestos presence and concentration.
An additional report offers specific recommendations and next steps if asbestos is detected.
Convenient Scheduling Options
Schedule Asbestos Sampling in just a few minutes with our online scheduler or calling our scheduling team.
We're Licensed Asbestos Inspectors
Indiana law requires that all asbestos professionals in Indiana (inspectors, workers, contractors, and training course providers) must meet qualifications for their discipline and have a valid license from IDEM. Therefore, our inspectors that sample for Asbestos are licensed asbestos inspectors in compliance with Indiana law.
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