Asbestos d
ust is a common hazard that is often overlooked in asbestos abatement projects. If it is not localized and removed it might become a persistent source of asbestos contamination of the air.
LCS Laboratory Inc. offers tests for residual asbestos dust on the surface. The tests can be used to monitor the cleanliness (housekeeping) of the working surfaces in the area where asbestos can be present. The test can be also used to assess the extent of the asbestos-contaminated area.
The samples can be collected using micro-vacuuming on PCM cassettes or as wipe samples on Ashless Cellulose Filters. Micro Vacuuming is a way to go for porous surfaces (like a concrete floor on the image on the right). Wipes work better on smooth surfaces like ceramic tiles, painted panels, steel, glass.
Once the samples are returned to the laboratory we analyse the collected dust for asbestos fibres. The mineral dust is analyzed using Polarized Light Microscopy as described in EPA method 600/R-93/116, 400-Point count method with modification. Laboratory reports Asbestos Concentration in percent units.
If you need to order sampling media or to discuss a potential project, please email us
at 4:07 pm
How much does it cost to get the sampling Material sent to me? How much does it cost to perform the test? Do you use Electron Microscope method?
at 10:49 pm
Hello, we use Polarized Light Microscopy and the cost is $45/sample (in 2022). Unfortunately, we don’t ship sampling media to clients.
at 10:53 am
How do you report the result of the asbestos wipe sampling? Is it fibers per square (unit) of surface? Total fibers? Presence/absence? What do you recommend to compare this result to? (i.e. What is considered “background” for this type of sampling?)
at 11:42 pm
We extract the dust from PAPAR wipes and analyze the extracted dust for asbestos. We use the same criteria as for construction materials (because this is what dust is): Percent of asbestos per weight, is more than 0.5% or less?