How you obtain your sample depends on the type of construction material you want testing. Regardless, this process involves disturbing the product and potentially released asbestos dust into the air. Therefore, we must reiterate again the importance of PPE.

Regardless of the type of material, you will need a tool to extract it with. For surfaces, you will need to scrap away a sample using something like a chisel or flathead screwdriver. Alternatively, for things like tiles, insulation, and sidings, something like a pair of pliers can be used to break the material and handle it.

Essentially, you must get a physical piece of the item. After doing this, make sure that you have cleared the surrounding area and removed any mess. Also, make sure that you are incredibly careful and only remove enough for the sample.

Now that you have safely obtained your sample(s), you must place it carefully in the provided sample bag. If you have multiple samples, make sure that each one goes into a separate bag as to avoid cross-contamination.

Next, make sure that the bags are sealed fully and that no fibres or dust can escape. Do not remove any PPE until the bags are sealed and any excess material has been disposed of or cleared away.

You will have received a sample submission form in your asbestos testing kit. It is vital that you complete this form and place it in the pre-paid envelope with your sample.

The submission form helps the lab with the testing process and will improve the speed of the service. Furthermore, it will ensure that the correct information is printed on your asbestos sampling certificate. Required information you have to complete includes:

• Personal details
• Sample location
• Sample reference number

If you are sending multiple samples, it is important to keep them separate and make sure that each one has a unique reference number. This reference is used for record-keeping and to make sure that the correct certificate is issued for the correct sample. If you did order multiple sample kits, each one should have a separate reference number.

If you don’t complete the form properly, your samples could get misplaced, and there could be a delay in you receiving your results.

As part of your kit, you receive a pre-paid return envelope. This already has the testing lab address on so you don’t have to do anything else.

All you have to do now is place the sample bag(s) in the envelope and seal it properly. For extra safety, you could consider sealing the envelope with Sellotape. Just post it to your local post box or go to your local USPS branch to get it delivered.

If you do want your results quicker and are concerned for your safety, you could opt for a special delivery service to get the samples to our lab there quicker.

You will receive an SMS to the phone number you provided when ordering the kit to let you know when the lab has your samples. Depending on the kit you purchased, you will typically get your results within 24-hours of receipt at the testing lab (the FastTrack package will get your results the same day).

The results are given in the form of an emailed certificate. This is provided as a PDF file that you can easily download, save, and print. Moreover, it will explain in detail the key findings from your sample and any asbestos content.

You can then use this certificate to give to your landlord, for example, if you want improvements to be made to the property. It can also be given to specialist contractors who deal with the removal of asbestos if you decide there is a health risk, and you want that risk eliminated.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we are happy to help and understand that you may have reservations about obtaining asbestos samples yourself. Don’t worry – providing that you read the included instructions carefully and use the PPE provided, you should not expose yourself to any asbestos fibres.