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CAN YOU TEST FOR ASBESTOS YOURSELF?



Asbestos is a commonly occurring fibrous silicate mineral that poses serious health risks. It becomes a hazard when its fibres become loose and airborne. These fibres can be easily inhaled, ingested and absorbed through the skin. People who are exposed to asbestos are in danger of diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. All this makes asbestos testing very crucial.

Many doubt if it’s possible to perform asbestos testing in their homes or if they can safely handle the asbestos-containing substances they might find. The general rule is to get in touch with a professional company, such as BC Hazmat Inspections. We have a proven track record spanning over a decade in mould and asbestos testing. All our staff members meet the Worksafe BC requirements, our lab technicians are NIOSH certified and our inspectors are AHERS certified. We have prepared this blog to let you know about how you can test for asbestos in your home. What You Should Do? You can purchase an asbestos testing kit, either online or from your local home improvement depot. Ensure to follow the instructions that come along with the kit for the best results. The steps to be followed if you do not have an asbestos kit are: • Identify potential asbestos contamination There are various reasons for asbestos contamination, such as aged crawlspaces and tiled surfaces. Few commonly neglected areas with high chances of asbestos contamination include rooms containing a radiator or heating systems, rooms with extensive ductwork and areas with traditional wiring systems. • Be prepared for misting Equip yourself with plastic gloves and a face mask. Don’t clean or vacuum the suspected area before asbestos testing. Always turn off the cooling and heating appliances and ventilation before performing the procedure. Such appliances can suck away dust particles. Spread a clean plastic sheet on the floor and fill a misting bottle with water. • Mist the area Repeatedly spray the area and ensure that the mist touches all parts of the room. The presence of moisture in the air will ensure that the dust in the room will settle on the plastic sheet. Use scissors to cut a small section of the plastic sheet, and you have your testing sample. • Seal the sample Carefully place the sample in a plastic bag and label it with the date and time of collection along with your ID number. • Send the sample for testing As the last step, send the sample to an accredited asbestos-testing lab. Ensure to steer clear of the area until your results arrive. If the results are positive, call us for asbestos removal. Need Quality Asbestos Testing Services? Apply the above mentioned methods to assess the presence of asbestos in your home. You can also consider professional assistance for accurate results and safety. Count on BC Hazmat Inspections if you need asbestos testing. Our efficient team will closely work with you to achieve the best possible customer experience. Call us to learn more about how we can help you with asbestos testing.


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