How many samples do I need?

For almost all products you will require 1 sample per surface e.g if you want to test 1 ceiling you will need 1 sample, if you would like to test 2 ceilings and a wall that would require 3 samples.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral which was used extensively in construction throughout the 1900s. It was added to all kinds of construction materials to give them fireproofing and various other benefits. Until its adverse effects on human health were more widely acknowledged in the 1970s that asbestos is actually a cancer causing carcinogen responsible for a range of potentially fatal respiratory diseases.

If asbestos containing materials are in good condition and undisturbed then they pose little to no risk to health. It is only when the product is disturbed that fibres are released into the air - This is when asbestos becomes harmful.

Do I have asbestos in my home?

Asbestos was widely used in home construction from 1930 to around 2000, particularly from 1960 onwards. Houses/flats built around this time may contain asbestos materials. Properties built since the mid 80’s are unlikely to have asbestos in the fabric of the building and from 1990 extremely unlikely. Asbestos was outlawed in the Europe in 1999.

We have written article helping you to spot any potential asbestos in your home click here to read our "What asbestos looks like" article.

Where is asbestos found in the home?

Asbestos was commonly used in many ways inside and outside of buildings:

• STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, and FURNACE DUCTS insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape. These materials may release asbestos fibers if damaged, repaired, or removed improperly.
• RESILIENT FLOOR TILES (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), the backing on VINYL SHEET FLOORING, and ADHESIVES used for installing floor tile. Sanding tiles can release fibers. So may scraping or sanding the backing of sheet flooring during removal.
• CEMENT SHEET, MILLBOARD, and PAPER used as insulation around furnaces and woodburning stoves. Repairing or removing appliances may release asbestos fibers. So may cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling, or sawing insulation.
• DOOR GASKETS in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers during use.
• SOUNDPROOFING OR DECORATIVE MATERIAL sprayed on walls and ceilings. Loose, crumbly, or water-damaged material may release fibers. So will sanding, drilling, or scraping the material.
• PATCHING AND JOINT COMPOUNDS for walls and ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS. Sanding, scraping, or drilling these surfaces may release asbestos.
• ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING, SHINGLES, and SIDING. These products are not likely to release asbestos fibers unless sawed, dilled, or cut.
• ARTIFICIAL ASHES AND EMBERS sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces. Also, other older household products such as FIREPROOF GLOVES, STOVE-TOP PADS, IRONING BOARD COVERS, and certain HAIRDRYERS.
• AUTOMOBILE BRAKE PADS AND LININGS, CLUTCH FACINGS, and GASKETS.

• Insulation - Insulation materials such as vermiculite / pipe insulation and insulation boards commonly contained asbestos
• Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.
• Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.
• Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.
• Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.
• Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds.
• Walls and floors around woodburning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.
• Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.
• Hot water and steam pipes in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
• Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.

Is it safe to test asbestos suspected material?

Our kits are designed to enable you to safely take a sample from suspected material. They come with complete instructions and Personal Protective Equipment, which meets and exceeds state criteria. Please be wary of other suppliers offering kits without any protection.

What can I test with this kit?

Our kits allow you to test pretty much any solid material for asbestos. Providing you're able to take a small sample and place into our sample bags, then we can test it for asbestos. Unfortunately our kits are unable to take soil samples for contaminated land.

How much material do I need for a sample?

You only need to submit a small sample, we recommend material the size of a quarter.

How long does it take for the results to come back?

Samples are tested within 72hrs of them arriving at the lab. Certificates will be emailed out the same day as results given.

Are my results confidential

Yes, your results are not shared with any 3rd parties and there is no register or record where the results are published. You as the customer & the lab will be the only people who know the results of your sample.

Are the results instant?

Unfortunately, analysis of asbestos using test strips is not possible. Samples must be analysed under a microscope in a laboratory. Our kit includes all costs of lab analysis. Homeowners can simply post their samples to our lab using the envelope provided in our kit.

Can I use an Asbestos Test Kit in my Organization?

Keeping your workers / employees safe when carrying our their day to day activities is of upmost importance to any company. Unfortunately exposure to asbestos due to asbestos contamination & asbestos containing materials are all too common and is one the biggest causes of work-related deaths and illnesses.

Using one of our test kits to take a sample of any suspected materials before they are disturbed is a great way to prevent un-intended exposure of asbestos to your workers. Regulations do vary from state to state so its worth checking with your local environmental health department to see if you're allowed to use one of our kits - If not we recommend using a local asbestos removal or survey company to carry out the sampling for you