1. Asbestos Testing

We provide asbestos abatement contractors surveillance and documentation of Contractor’s adherence to the project specifications and all applicable EPA, OSHA, DOSH regulations. Abatement surveillances include conducting inspections, documentation of the integrity of the containment barriers, monitoring and document if they are bagging quantities of asbestos containing materials out for disposal. We provide trouble shooting of any asbestos abatement difficulties or potential Health and Safety problems that we may encounter on various projects. We will conduct all inside and outside work area air monitoring including before, during and after abatement (final clearance).  We will prepare documents necessary for the shipping and disposal of hazardous materials. Furnish job progress and job completion reports. Consult with various different agencies on asbestos assessments by visiting sites and report findings on the Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) Collected.  We will also test and evaluate methods of removal in accordance with State and Federal Agencies.

Asbestos Sampling

It is impossible to tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it, unless it is properly labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as asbestos or request that the materials be sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional such as a State of California certified asbestos consultant by (DOSH).  It is not recommended that any untrained persons collect asbestos sample or materials because they may increase health risk of themselves and others if fibers are released.

Understanding Asbestos

Asbestos fibers cannot be seen without a special microscope. Analysis by an accredited testing laboratory is the only way to know for certain if a material contains asbestos.

The EPA requires that the asbestos content of suspect materials are only be determined by analyzing samples with polarized light microscopy (PLM). PLM analysis results give the percent and type of asbestos in the sample. The asbestos content of manufactured items ranges from one percent to 100 percent.

The major forms of asbestos used commercially were chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite. Tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite are of less commercial value. Asbestos containing materials (ACM) are mixtures of individual asbestos fibers and binding material.

• Chrysotile is the most common type of asbestos found in buildings. Also known as "white asbestos," chrysotile makes up approximately 90%-95% of all asbestos contained

    in buildings in the United States.

•  Amosite is the second most prevalent type of asbestos found in building materials. Amosite is also known as "brown asbestos."

•  Crocidolite or "blue asbestos," is found in specialized high temperature applications. Send asbestos samples to an EPA-approved laboratory for analysis.