How good a test for asbestos do I need?
Question by zilmag: How good a test for asbestos do I need?
I want to find out if our home’s sprayed “popcorn ceilings” (uncertain age) contain asbestos. There are various testing options with different limits of detection. I have a small budget. Which “point count” do I need to ask for when I send a sample to a lab? The test is described as EPA 600/R-93/116 with various limits of detection available. Is that the right test?
I’ve also seen a lot of references to “visual inspections.” I am kind of cynical and I expect any professional visual inspector to err on the safe side, and say it’s asbestos … what do they look for? I know I probably can’t do it myself without experience, but I’m curious.
badhabyt – how is it very obvious? What looks different?
Best answer:
Answer by MontyApollo
EPA 600/R-93/116 is the right test. You basically just put a piece of material in a ziploc bag and send it in. You need a quarter to half-dollar size.
Here is an article with basic details:
http://www.infobarrel.com/Asbestos_Testing_Tips_for_Homeowners
I doubt you really need a “point count” unless maybe you are in California; a standard PLM at 1% detection limit is fine. A point count is sometimes requested if the PLM result is near the regulatory threshold, which is 1% most places, and 0.1% in California. A point count is just a more statistical version of a PLM analysis, but a standard PLM is used for the vast majority of samples.
A lot of labs don’t like dealing withing private individuals and will charge $ 20 to $ 30, but some labs don’t mind and will quote you normal rates for PLM: $ 6 to $ 10 per material.
You can get a list of labs here:
http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/scopes/plmtm.htm
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A quarter size sample in a ziplock bag for PLM analysis is all you need. With popcorn ceilings is usually very obviously asbestos or asbestos free, so point counting is rarely needed. Be sure to wet (spray) the spot you are going to test and a corner works best. Make sure you go all the way through the substrate. Call around if you are in a bigger city. Some labs are doing samples for $ 10-15 now.