Before the dangers of asbestos were common knowledge, it was widely used as a building material in residential and commercial buildings. Even though the health risks of asbestos fibers are now known, many structures built with the material still stand. Asbestos is made of microscopic fibers that cannot be seen by the naked eye. In order to identify it, you need to know what materials investigate, look for any manufacturer labels, and consult experts when in doubt.
Identifying Possible Asbestos Materials
Date the material:
Check the manufacturer and product name on the insulation label and do a web search to find out if it contains asbestos. The date of the building or material can also tell you a lot about asbestos risk. Buildings made between the 1940s and the 1980s are very likely to have used asbestos materials. Even still, asbestos was phased out in the 1980s, so some buildings built during that time could have still used asbestos materials. If the building was built after 1995, it almost certainly utilized no asbestos materials.
Inspect exterior building materials:
Asbestos was used to make several exterior materials. Roofing and siding shingles are among the most common materials to contain asbestos, and will readily release fibers into the air if broken. Asbestos was also put into cement used on the exterior of buildings to help insulate them.
- Most older cement board products contain asbestos. This type of material looks like a thin piece of concrete with fibers running through it and was frequently used as siding, corrugated roofing, and soffit material.
Investigate interior panels:
Floors, walls, and ceilings were often made with asbestos containing materials. Watch for an oily appearance to floor tiles, which indicates that they are made from asbestos bound with asphalt. Vinyl tiles and decorative wall plasters commonly contain asbestos.
- Blow-in asbestos was also frequently used for ceiling tiles and in ceilings above drywall before it was known to be dangerous. This type of asbestos looks gray or off-white with fibers in it.
Assess the location:
Asbestos is a very strong, durable material. It is not susceptible to water the way that many materials are. For that reason, asbestos materials were often used in places like bathrooms and basements to avoid dealing with water damages.
After this, the next logical step is to look for identification markers;
Identify the mold:
Asbestos was molded into many different shapes and sizes to fill different needs. For example, sheets of asbestos were used to make up walls, and slats of asbestos were created to serve as roof tiles. Each mold has a different location that may be stamped with manufacturer’s information. This information sometimes discloses whether or not the material contains asbestos.
Scan for letter codes:
Once you’ve identified the mold, look for any information that the manufacturer stamped or printed. If you find it, look for codes such as AC (contains asbestos) or NT (does not contain asbestos). Note that not all pieces will have this information.
The next procedure would be getting professional consultation;
Consult someone experienced in identifying asbestos:
If you are in question, assume that the material is asbestos. If you need to be sure, bring in a consultant that is uniquely qualified to identify asbestos. This could be an experienced contractor or someone like a building inspector. These contacts can be found on the internet.
Have a professional collect a sample:
Don’t attempt to take a sample on your own as you could expose yourself and others in the area to asbestos. Get a qualified professional to take the sample as they will have the necessary personal protective equipment and tools to do the job. For instance, they may need to put on coveralls, gloves, and a respirator before chipping off a piece of the material and putting it in a sealed container. They can use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum to contain dust particles and clean the area.
Send the sample to a verified lab:
Take your sample to a certified lab. If there is one in your area, you can drive it there. If you have to send it off in the mail, follow any regulatory guidelines for mailing asbestos. The lab will identify the material and report back to you.
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(Article sourced from wikihow.com)
