How To Identify and Test for Asbestos in the Home and Workplace
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring but toxic, fibrous silicate materials. Asbestos is highly fire retardant and also known for being an extremely effective insulation material. Because of these traits, asbestos was used extensively as a building material in the 20th century until its toxicity became widely recognized in the 1970s. Today, asbestos is infamous for being the primary cause of mesothelioma, a rare but deadly cancer.
This article will give an overview of how to spot asbestos in your home or workplace and provide guidance about what to do if you suspect asbestos is present.
Where Asbestos Is Typically Found
Many older homes and commercial buildings built before the 1970s that have not been remediated have a good chance of containing asbestos.
Exterior Siding and Roofing
Asbestos was used for outside building materials, including:
- Siding material
- Roofing material (especially on flat roofs)
- Window caulking and glazing
These materials were prized for their durability and resistance to weather and fire. Even today, some older buildings may still have intact asbestos-containing shingles or roofing felt.
Floor and Ceiling Materials
Asbestos was also used indoors in:
- Ceilings (especially popcorn ceilings)
- Vinyl flooring and some forms of linoleum
- Plaster
- Certain textured paints and patching compounds
Floor tiles containing asbestos are usually 9-inch square tiles that have a distinct, slightly oily or waxy finish. Disturbing these materials can release harmful fibers into the air, especially during renovations or repairs.
Insulation and Pipe Coverings
These materials are highly dangerous and were among the first banned by the EPA:
- Attic insulation
- Duct insulation
- Thermal insulation on hot water pipes
- Insulation around oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets
In older industrial or utility buildings, you may also find asbestos in boiler rooms, where it was applied as spray-on fireproofing or insulating coatings.
Less Obvious Places
Asbestos was used in a variety of surprising products, including:
- Cement sheets and corrugated panels
- Fuse boxes and electrical backing panels
- Fire blankets and protective clothing
- Adhesives and mastics used in tiling and paneling
If a building predates 1980 and has not undergone professional asbestos abatement, there’s a non-negligible risk that asbestos is still present in one or more of these materials.
How To Test for Asbestos
Visually, asbestos will typically be whitish-gray and may look fibrous or corrugated, especially on paper insulation surrounding pipes. However, a true identification of asbestos can only be made by instrumental analysis in a certified lab.
At-Home Testing Kits
Asbestos testing kits are available online or at home improvement box stores. The kits will require you to collect a sample of materials yourself and then mail them in for testing. You do not need specialized knowledge to use these kits but should protect yourself thoroughly before using them.
Safety Tips for At-Home Testing:
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE), including a quality N95 or P100 mask, goggles or safety glasses, gloves, and disposable coveralls. Some testing kits will include PPE.
- Seal the area off with plastic sheeting and duct tape before collecting the material to prevent fibers from spreading to other areas.
- Lightly mist the area with water to reduce airborne dust before sampling.
- Place the sample in a sealable bag, and follow all instructions carefully to avoid contamination.
Professional Testing Services
If you are uncomfortable using a home kit, there are professional testing services that will both collect the materials and facilitate the testing for you. These services use trained technicians who follow OSHA and EPA protocols. They often use polarized light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to identify asbestos with high accuracy.
Hiring a certified asbestos inspector is especially recommended for:
- Commercial or multi-family properties
- Pre-renovation or demolition projects
- Large-scale remediation efforts
An inspection report from a licensed service can be used for documentation and may be required by local regulations if removal is needed.
What To Do If You Discover Asbestos
If asbestos is confirmed in your home or workplace, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Improper handling can release hazardous fibers into the air, putting you and others at risk of exposure.
Steps to Take:
- Leave the material undisturbed. If the asbestos is in good condition and not crumbling, it may be safer to leave it alone.
- Restrict access. Keep people and pets away from the area until professional help can assess the situation.
- Contact a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. These professionals are trained to safely remove or encapsulate asbestos materials according to local and federal regulations.
- Notify your local health or environmental agency. They can provide additional guidance and may require documentation of testing and removal.
What To Do If You or Your Loved One Has Mesothelioma
If you suspect that you or your loved one has been subject to long-term exposure to asbestos and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, we can help. Our team has been serving mesothelioma victims for decades. We have a track record you can trust.
Since 1972, Madeksho Law has obtained over $400 MILLION in compensation for our clients and their families. We understand the emotional and financial toll this diagnosis can take, and we fight to make sure your voice is heard.
Call 888-910-MESO (6376) and schedule a free consultation today. You can also use our secure online contact form. All information will be confidential, and there are no fees unless we secure compensation for you and your family.
