Testing For Asbestos
With 49 accredited asbestos testing labs spread across the US and Canada, EMSL offers accessible, user-friendly, and rapid testing services for suspected asbestos materials. You can find your nearest laboratory on the map below. We provide the flexibility of either mailing your samples to us or dropping them off directly at any of these locations. Opting for the latter ensures the quickest turnaround, as it enables same-day processing without the need for test kit requests or mailing delays.
Have you discovered materials in your home that you suspect may contain asbestos? If so, rely on EMSL for accurate testing and peace of mind.
Asbestos—a material once popular in construction, paper products, plastics, and more—now takes the lives of thousands of Americans every year due to related diseases. Exposure often occurs indoors, where it might be unknowingly released from these everyday materials. The long-term health effects, particularly on the lungs, are a significant cause for concern. Chronic inhalation exposure can lead to severe respiratory diseases, such as asbestosis, characterized by shortness of breath and coughing.
Moreover, asbestos exposure can increase the risk of cancer. Inhalation can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, and it is also potentially linked to gastrointestinal cancers.
The EPA identifies asbestos as Group A, a known human carcinogen. Its presence can only be confirmed with a special type of microscope, highlighting the importance of professional testing. EMSL’s accredited asbestos testing labs provide definitive and trustworthy analysis. Trust us to support your safety.
Steps for Submitting Your Sample:
Follow the EPA sampling guide instructions, download a sample submission form.
Next, choose the turnaround [TAT] time for your results.
Finally, either mail your sample(s) along with payment to the laboratory or drop them off at one of our 49 local labs located throughout the US and Canada for quickest processing.
Mail your sample[s] to:
United States
EMSL Analytical, Inc.: 200 Route 130 North Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
Canada
EMSL Canada, Inc. 2756 Slough Street Mississauga, ON, L4T 1G3
With 49 accredited asbestos testing labs spread across the US and Canada, EMSL offers accessible, user-friendly, and rapid testing services for suspected asbestos materials. You can find your nearest laboratory on the map below. We provide the flexibility of either mailing your samples to us or dropping them off directly at any of these locations. Opting for the latter ensures the quickest turnaround, as it enables same-day processing without the need for test kit requests or mailing delays.
Asbestos can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. It is crucial to have materials tested by an accredited asbestos testing lab like EMSL for definitive analysis.
Asbestos Sampling Guide
Asbestos consultants are trained in the proper collection of samples for asbestos analysis.
Typical precautions include:
- Make sure no one else is in the room when sampling is done.
- Wear disposable gloves or wash hands after sampling.
- Shut down any heating or cooling systems to minimize the spread of any released fibers.
- Do not disturb the material any more than is needed to take a small sample.
- Place a plastic sheet on the floor below the area to be sampled.
- Wet the material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent before taking the sample. The water/detergent mist will reduce the release of asbestos fibers.
- Carefully cut a piece from the entire depth of the material using, for example, a small knife, corer, or other sharp object.
- Place the small piece into a clean container (for example, a 35 mm film canister, small glass or plastic vial, or high quality resealable plastic bag).
- Tightly seal the container after the sample is in it.
- Carefully dispose of the plastic sheet. Use a damp paper towel to clean up any material on the outside of the container or around the area sampled. Dispose of asbestos materials according to state and local procedures.
- Label the container with an identification number and clearly state when and where the sample was taken.
- Patch the sampled area with the smallest possible piece of duct tape to prevent fiber release.
Sample Submission Forms
Please choose from one of the two forms below based on your geographic location:
United States
EMSL Analytical, Inc.:
200 Route 130 North
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
Canada
EMSL Canada, Inc.
2756 Slough Street
Mississauga, ON, L4T 1G3
Interpreting Test Results
What are the permissible exposure limits for asbestos?
The following exposure limits are for the workplace environment for fibers longer than 5 micrometers.
OSHA
The legal airborne permissible exposure limit [PEL] is 0.1 fiber/cc [fiber per cubic centimeter] averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 1 fiber/cc not to be exceeded during any 30 minute work period.
NIOSH
The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.1 fiber/cc [fiber per cubic centimeter] averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
ACGIH
The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.2 crocidocite. 0.5 amosite, 2 chrysotile and other asbestos, fibers/cc.
Asbestos is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be NO safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest level possible.
EPA Facts
Asbestos Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):
| Top 5 States*: | Water | Land |
| PA | 0 | 2,945,049 |
| LA | 61 | 2,256,400 |
| TX | 0 | 1,737,200 |
| AR | 1,000 | 568,227 |
| VA | 0 | 480,000 |
| Major Industries*: | Water | Land |
| Asbestos products | 3,005 | 2,510,227 |
| Alkalis, chlorine | 1,973 | 2,256,404 |
| >Industrial organic chems | 0 | 1,230,000 |
| Asphalt felts, coatings | 5 | 871,067 |
| Auto parts | 0 | 563,694 |
| Petroleum refining | 0 | 314,560 |
| Plastic pipes | 0 | 235,200 |
| Shipbuilding, repairing | 0 | 211,400 |