HOW TO COLLECT ASBESTOS AND  SAMPLES AT HOME

1. Preparation

Goal: minimize fiber release and contamination.

Equipment

  • Disposable coveralls (e.g., Tyvek)

  • P100 respirator

  • Disposable gloves

  • Spray bottle with water + a few drops of detergent

  • Clean tools (knife, chisel, corer)

  • Sealable sample bags (zip bags)

  • Secondary bag (double-bagging)

  • Permanent marker & labels

  • Damp wipes

  • Drop sheet (plastic)

Site preparation

  1. Restrict access to the area.

  2. Turn off fans or HVAC systems.

  3. Lay plastic sheeting under the sampling location.

2. Wet the Material

Before disturbing the material:

  • Lightly mist the surface with water + detergent.

  • This reduces airborne fiber release.

  • Do not soak electrical materials.

3. Collect the Sample

Typical sample size: 2" x 2"of material.

Steps:

  1. Use a clean tool to cut through the entire depth of the material (not just surface).

  2. Remove the piece carefully.

  3. Avoid crushing or grinding the material.

  4. Place the sample immediately into a labeled sealable bag.

4. Seal and Label

  • Seal the bag tightly.

  • Place the bag into a second bag (double-bagging).

  • Label with:

    • Location

    • Material description

    • Date

    • Sample ID

5. Patch the Sample Area

After removing the sample:

  • Spray the area again.

  • Seal the exposed spot with:

    • Duct tape

    • Paint

    • Encapsulant

This prevents fiber release.

6. Decontamination

  • Wipe tools with damp wipes.

  • Dispose of wipes, gloves, and coveralls in a sealed bag.

  • Wash hands and face thoroughly.

7. Laboratory Analysis

Send samples to the lab for analysis using method:

  • Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) – common for bulk materials

 

Collecting Asbestos samples

  1. Place sample in ZipLoc bag, lock it
  2. Place it into the second bag (if sample is sharp and can cut bags, place it into clean airtight container).
  3. Fill in the Request for Analysis Form with your instructions & contact information. Identify the sample location.

HOW TO SEND THE SAMPLES TO THE LAB

  1. Fill in our sample submission form
  2. Samples can be delivered in-person, or possible to arrange a pick
  3. Select turnaround time required: Normal – 5 business days, Expedited – 24 hours, Urgent – 8 hour Rush (same day)

Price for analysis

The price for asbestos is determined by the turnaround time, number of samples and number of unique materials (layers) to be analyzed. Samples may contain more than one material.