Asbestos was widely used in older homes and buildings, and materials containing asbestos may still be present in insulation, flooring, siding, roofing, plaster, and other areas of a property. Because asbestos cannot reliably be identified by appearance alone, professional inspection and testing can help determine whether a suspected material contains asbestos.
Asbestos testing may be appropriate when you are purchasing an older property, planning renovations, or have damaged or deteriorating building materials that could contain asbestos. MD Mold Testing provides professional asbestos testing and inspection services throughout Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware, and Northern Virginia.
By the 1940s, asbestos was used extensively in many applications in the United States, particularly building applications. For 30 years after World War II, many schools and public buildings were built using materials containing asbestos. Asbestos containing materials were primarily used for fireproofing, soundproofing, and insulation. Builders liked using asbestos for many reasons: it is resistant to heat and chemicals, insulates well, and doesn’t corrode.
Furthermore, asbestos can be woven and used in a variety of industrial applications. Few other materials used in construction and manufacturing have the range of desirable properties of asbestos.
Thousands of commercial products contain or have contained asbestos. In homes built before 1978, asbestos was used to insulate boilers and pipes. It is also found in many other household materials such as:
When asbestos fibers come loose from the material that contains them, they can be inhaled and lodge in the lungs. Over a period of years to decades, asbestos can cause lung diseases including mesothelioma, a deadly form of lung cancer.
Asbestos testing may be useful when a material is suspected of containing asbestos and could be disturbed, damaged, or removed. Because asbestos fibers are microscopic, you generally cannot determine whether a building material contains asbestos simply by looking at it.
Consider professional asbestos testing:
Testing can determine whether asbestos is present and provide information that can be used to decide what steps, if any, should be taken before the material is disturbed.
The three major methods for asbestos testing are polarized light microscopy (PLM), phase contrast microscopy (PCM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The type of testing used depends on the type of sample material being tested.
The appropriate approach to asbestos testing depends on the material involved, its condition, and why testing is being performed.
| Concern | What It May Mean | Testing Option |
| Older flooring, siding, plaster, or insulation | The building material may contain asbestos | Bulk material sampling |
| Damaged or deteriorating suspected material | Fibers may potentially be released if asbestos is present | Material assessment and appropriate sampling |
| Concern about fibers in the air | Fibers may be present in the indoor environment | Air sampling |
| Renovating an older property | Suspected materials could be disturbed during renovation | Testing before the material is disturbed |
Professional evaluation can help determine which sampling and testing method is appropriate for the material and situation.
Neither state nor federal laws require you to remove asbestos in your home just to be rid of it. In fact, much asbestos in the home, such as that in floor tiles, siding, and roofing, is not hazardous because these materials don’t tend to crumble and release asbestos fibers. However, asbestos-containing thermal insulation, asbestos pipe insulation and boiler lagging can be hazardous, and asbestos testing should be done if you suspect these materials were used in your home.
Finding asbestos does not necessarily mean that the material must immediately be removed. The appropriate next step depends on factors such as the type of material, its condition, its location, and whether it is likely to be disturbed.
Testing provides information about whether asbestos is present so you can make informed decisions about the property. If asbestos is identified in a material that may present a hazard, a qualified asbestos professional can advise you on appropriate management or removal options.
Suspected asbestos-containing materials should not be unnecessarily disturbed. Professional inspection and sampling can help determine what is present without relying on visual identification alone.
Choose an asbestos testing provider that is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to perform an inspection and collect samples of materials suspected of containing asbestos. The testing provider will take samples from areas dampened with water and will typically need a piece an inch or two in diameter. Samples are sealed in plastic and labeled for testing. If asbestos is found in materials that could be hazardous, your asbestos testing provider can advise you on your options for removal. MD Mold Testing is certified by the EPA for asbestos testing and has performed thousands of home inspections in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware, and Northern Virginia.
If you are concerned that a material in your home may contain asbestos, professional testing can help determine whether asbestos is present and provide the information you need to determine your next steps.
MD Mold Testing provides asbestos testing and inspection services throughout Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware, and Northern Virginia. Whether you are purchasing an older home, preparing for renovations, or have concerns about existing building materials, our experienced professionals can evaluate the property and determine the appropriate testing approach. Contact MD Mold Testing Today!
