Asbestos Testing & Surveys to Identify Potentially Harmful Building Materials

Asbestos fibers have been used in a wide variety of building materials, including roofing shingles, ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring, drywall, and popcorn textured ceilings. As is now well known, exposure to airborne asbestos fibers increases your risk of developing lung disease. The greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects. Disease symptoms may take decades to develop following exposure. If you are concerned that your home or workplace may have asbestos-containing building materials (ACBMs), CFL Environmental Solutions can perform complete asbestos testing to identify suspected asbestos-containing building materials (ACBMs), collect samples to be analyzed by an accredited lab, and prepare a detailed report of the findings.

 

When should I have my home or workplace tested for asbestos?

• Repairs or minor remodeling: While making repairs or during remodeling, you may unknowingly disturb building materials that contain asbestos and cause asbestos fibers to be released into the air. These airborne asbestos fibers are extremely harmful when breathed in. If you need to find out if a particular type of building material (such as popcorn texture ceiling, vinyl flooring or roof shingles) contains asbestos, our Certified Asbestos Facility Inspector will collect samples to be analyzed by an accredited lab for asbestos content.
  
  
• Demolition or extensive remodeling: Local authorities will require an asbestos inspection (also called an asbestos survey) in order to issue a permit for demolition or extensive remodeling for commercial structures. In some cases, local authorities may also require an asbestos inspection/survey for residential structures as well.
  
  
• Real Estate Transactions: Before a buyer purchases a home or a commercial building, it is prudent to have an asbestos inspection done during the due diligence period to confirm whether or not asbestos is present.
  
  
• Health Concerns: Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease and other harmful health issues.

 

What types of building materials may contain asbestos?

• Popcorn texture ceilings
• Ceiling tiles
• Drywall
• Vinyl flooring
• Ceramic tile flooring
• Rolled flooring
• Siding
• Insulation
• Textured surfaces
• Cement products
• Roofing shingles

 

What is included in asbestos testing?

Asbestos testing includes:

• Discussing with the client their concerns and needs.
• Identifying the building material(s) of concern, such as popcorn texture ceilings, vinyl flooring and mastic/glue, or roofing material.
• Confirming the price for the asbestos testing.
• Collecting the appropriate number of building material samples to be tested for asbestos fibers.
• Sending the samples to an accredited lab where the samples will be analyzed for asbestos fiber content.
• Receiving and reviewing the lab report (usually two business days from the date the samples were collected).
• Preparing a cover letter summarizing the lab results and emailing the cover letter and lab results to the client.

 

What is included in an asbestos survey?

Asbestos surveys are required to obtain a demolition permit from local authorities for demolition or extensive remodeling of commercial structures, and they are also typically requested for commercial real estate transactions.

If you need an asbestos survey, CFL will request an opportunity to walk-thru the structure to determine the appropriate number of suspected asbestos-containing building materials (ACBMs) that will need to be collected for lab analysis. Then, based on this information, CFL will provide you with a confirmed quote for the asbestos survey.

CFL conducts asbestos surveys in accordance with AHERA standards. They include:

1. A review of the county building records to identify potential locations of suspected ACBMs which will be disturbed.
2. A visual inspection of the building by an EPA facility asbestos inspector to identify suspected ACBMs.
3. Collection of samples of each homogeneous suspected ACBM.
4. An analysis of collected samples by a NVLAP-accredited laboratory using polarized light microscopy.
5. A written report that documents work performed and the results of our asbestos survey.

The report will be emailed to you typically within 3 - 5 business days after onsite sampling is completed.

 

General Asbestos Information & Additional Resources

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and EPA AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act) define asbestos-containing building materials as any building material containing greater than 1% asbestos as determined by a lab analysis method called Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). However, OSHA regulations concerning specific personnel, training, and procedures would be applicable for all activities associated with asbestos-containing materials, regardless of the concentration of asbestos fibers detected. 

Asbestos is the name given to naturally occurring fibrous minerals with unique crystalline structures that separate into fibers. Asbestos fibers have high tensile strength and are resistant to heat and most chemicals. Additionally, asbestos fibers can be woven. Because of these properties, asbestos fibers have been used in a wide range of manufactured goods, including roofing shingles, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, rolled flooring, drywall, siding, insulation, cement products, and textured surfaces.

As asbestos-containing materials deteriorate or when they are disturbed, asbestos fibers are released. When breathing in these microscopic asbestos fibers, the asbestos fibers can get stuck in the lungs and irritate lung tissues. Scientific studies have shown that diseases can be caused by breathing asbestos.

Below are links to additional resources regarding asbestos and its adverse health effects:

Florida Department of Environmental Protection
https://floridadep.gov/air/permitting-compliance/content/asbestos-faq#.WyJropHf33w.link

Management of Demolition and Renovation Waste
https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/demo_new.pdf

US Consumer Product Safety Commission
https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/home/asbestos-home