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Sample Collection and Submittal

Sample Collection
Note: You cannot be sure that a material contains asbestos by just looking at it with a naked eye. Therefore, treat all suspect material as if they contain asbestos.

• 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.
• 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 possibility of releasing asbestos fibers.
• Carefully cut/scrape a piece from the entire depth of the material using, for example, a small knife, corer, or other sharp object.
• Cut/scrape only a small piece of the material. All materials can be grouped into two categories: friable, i.e. the material can be crushed into powder by hand, and nonfriable. These amounts are adequate for testing:

 For friable samples: 1 teaspoon. For nonfriable samples: 1 square inch piece

• Place the small piece into a clean container (for example, a ZipLock bag). Tightly seal the container after the sample is in it.
• Use a damp paper towel to clean up any material on the outside of the container or around the area sampled.
• Label the container with an ID number (for example, Sample #1)
• Submit the sample(s) for testing

Special Notes

• For acoustic ceiling (popcorn ceiling) material, three separate samples from different locations is strongly recommended if it covers more than 1,000 sq. ft.
• The mastic or glue/adhesive under floor tile is a separate sample and subject to a separate charge. If some mastic is attached to the tile, that's generally sufficient for testing. No need to scrape a separate mastic/adhesive sample.

Sample Submittal

• Place the container with the sample(s) in a suitable mailing envelope.
• Please fill out a printable form to include with your sample(s).
• Samples can be mailed using the US postal service, FedEx, UPS, etc. or hand delivered. Our address is: