How to Test My Vinyl Floor for Asbestos
Asbestos, a carcinogen or cancer-causing substance, can be found in homes and businesses anywhere. Due to its widespread use in building materials in the early 1900s, it is more frequently found in older homes. Asbestos becomes a danger and a health hazard when its fibers are released into the air. Fibers would be released only if the asbestos is disturbed. Therefore, asbestos in an undisturbed area could be harmless for decades. However, if you suspect asbestos is in a high-traffic area in your home, you will want the material tested to be sure and have it professionally removed. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Contact information to local health department
- Secure shipping box
- Duct tape
- Permanent marker
- Damp paper towel
- Sealable and durable plastic baggie
- Small knife
- Distilled water
- Small spray bottle
- Detergent
- Disposable gloves
- Plastic sheet
Instructions
-
-
1
Put on disposable gloves.
-
2
Cover the area possibly contaminated with asbestos with a plastic sheet.
-
-
3
Turn off your air conditioning or heating unit.
-
4
Mix equal parts detergent and distilled water in a spray bottle.
-
5
Spray the area contaminated with asbestos with a few drops of the mixture in the spray bottle.
-
6
Cut through the vinyl floor with a small knife. You only need a small sample, yet be sure the sample includes the entire depth of the vinyl. Disturb the area as little as possible.
-
7
Put the sample in a sealable, durable plastic bag, and seal it. Disturb the sample as little as possible.
-
8
Cover the seal of the plastic bag with duct tape, again disturbing the sample as little as possible.
-
9
Label the plastic bag with a permanent marker. Include the date the sample was taken from your vinyl floor and the location from which it was taken.
-
10
Dispose of the plastic sheet according to local health department codes for appropriate disposal of asbestos-contaminated items. This may be putting it with the rest of your garbage, and it may be a specific trash bin or landfill.
-
11
Ship the sample to your local or state health department. The testing will occur there. Write and include a letter explaining the sample came from your home, and include information where you may be contacted once the testing is complete.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you do not know where your health department is, go to the National Institute of Standards and Technology website for more information.
The purpose of spraying the area with the distilled water/detergent combination is to reduce the amount that is released into the air, thus reducing the possibility of a health hazard to you and anyone in your home.
