Sample Collection
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: