Asbestos Sampling Procedures
Asbestos is a cancer-causing substance that can be found in both homes and businesses. Asbestos was widely used in construction projects in the early 1900s as the hazards of the substance were not yet known. While asbestos is a hazardous substance, it is only hazardous when disturbed. Therefore, if you have a questionable substance that has been disturbed you may want to know these asbestos sampling procedures. Does this Spark an idea?
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Health Department
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Before you do anything, contact your health department. You can go to the website for the National Institute of Standards and Technology for more information on the health department nearest you. Chances are the health department will send someone out to take care of the substance for you. If not, you will need the contact information and mailing address because you will be sending the sample to the health department once you have collected it.
Collecting the Sample
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The process of collecting the sample can be tedious and must be carried out with caution. Protect the entire area around the sample with a plastic sheet, turn off the heat or air conditioning and make sure no children or pets are in the vicinity. In addition to protection of the area itself, protect yourself with plastic gloves and a face mask to avoid breathing in the substance. Also, dress appropriately in long sleeves and pants. Make sure the clothes are tight, not baggy. This will ensure the clothes do not interfere with the sample. Apply a mist of detergent and distilled water with a spray bottle, then use a small knife to pick a small sample of the area believed to be asbestos. Spray a large area to ensure as little is disturbed as possible. Carefully put the sample in a sealable plastic bag. Never disturb the area with the substance more than necessary.
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Testing and Safety Precautions
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Label the plastic bag with a permanent marker (include the date and location the sample was taken from). Mail or hand deliver the sample to the local or state health department with a letter explaining where the sample came from and the precautions used while removing the sample. The health department will test the potential asbestos sample.
Dispose of the plastic sheet, knife and any possibly contaminated items carefully and according to the health department guidelines. Health departments have varying guidelines in regards to disposal of hazardous substances. Some counties will allow for drop-off and some will schedule pick-up of hazardous substances. Occasionally, a health department will approve of regular disposal with trash.
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References
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