It’s so important to get asbestos testing done, especially for buildings built before the 1980s. At Atlas Labs, we use advanced asbestos testing techniques to detect even small amounts. We provide accurate results and guidance on next steps if asbestos is found.
Asbestos, once widely used in construction, can pose serious health risks when disturbed. While asbestos is still present in many buildings and building materials, numerous regulations have been passed to restrict its use. A naturally occurring mineral, asbestos is a flexible material made of heat-resistant silicate fibers. It’s been used in buildings (residential and commercial) because it’s cheap, strong, keeps heat in, and doesn’t get hot.
Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) can shed tiny fibers when disturbed, which pose hazards to your health if ingested or inhaled. Prolonged asbestos exposure leads to a higher chance of getting an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. It may take decades to see these side effects from asbestos exposure.
Many buildings built before the 1980s may have asbestos and ACMs. In Oregon, residential testing is required for pre-2004 construction. In Washington, testing is required for all homes undergoing renovations.
Some common areas where you’ll find asbestos include:
Our state-of-the-art asbestos testing laboratory employs proven methods like advanced microscopy to accurately identify asbestos in various materials. Our certified inspectors will carefully collect samples from your property and deliver them to our lab, where we run the test and report results.
While DIY asbestos testing kits are available, we strongly recommend against using them. These kits can be unreliable and may put you at risk of exposure during the sampling process. Professional asbestos testing, conducted by our trained and certified experts, is the safest and most accurate way to determine the presence of asbestos in your property.
DIYers who may want to take their own sample and deliver it to us for a test should be aware that contractors will require hiring an AHERA building inspector to collect (all of our inspectors are AHERA certified). This is a requirement in both Oregon and Washington.
We offer competitive pricing and will provide you with a transparent, detailed quote based on your specific needs. We believe in delivering value to our clients by offering thorough, reliable asbestos testing services that prioritize your health and safety.
For asbestos testing, we offer Rush, Next Day, 2-Day, and 5-Day options, depending on how quickly you need your results.
Note that for faster results, the cost of testing will increase.
Due to the passing of the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, the use of materials like asbestos has decreased over the years. However, asbestos testing is still required for nearly all structures and building materials in Oregon and Washington.
If you’re completing renovations or planning on renovating, disturbing building materials without testing for asbestos could release asbestos fibers into the air, causing asbestos exposure. Regardless of whether you’re a homeowner or a contractor, do not disturb building materials before testing for asbestos.
When working with a contractor, they are required to show that samples were collected properly. Samples for asbestos testing must be collected by an AHERA-certified inspector, which all of our inspectors are. This is the law in both Oregon and Washington.
Business owners face unique challenges with asbestos, including legal requirements and customer safety concerns. Industrial environments often have a higher risk of asbestos presence due to older buildings and equipment.
So don’t ignore potential asbestos issues until problems arise. This can lead to costly remediation and legal issues. Professional testing helps prevent these problems. Our comprehensive asbestos testing services, including sample collection by our AHERA-certified inspectors, help maintain a safe work environment and comply with regulations.
Don’t let uncertainty about asbestos put your health at risk! Many people avoid asbestos testing because they’re unsure about the process or fear disruption to their daily lives. Some attempt to identify asbestos visually, which is unreliable and dangerous.
Our professional asbestos testing is thorough, minimally invasive, and provides clear results. Our certified experts collect samples carefully, analyze them in our asbestos PLM (polarizing light microscopy) laboratory, and provide detailed reports.
When bringing in a sample for asbestos testing, please put the suspect material in a sealable sandwich bag before bringing it to our lab. The sample size should be approximately thumbnail size, up to 2 inches by 2 inches at the largest. When selecting the location from which to draw your sample, find one that has all of the layers of a material present that need to be tested.
We believe that no elements are too small to ignore, from the quality of your indoor air to the particulate matter floating around your space. When you put your asbestos assessment needs in the hands of our capable professionals, you can rest assured that our work and environmental testing services will help you stay up to code with the following groups:
If you’re considering a renovation or construction project, asbestos testing may be required. It’s required in Oregon for any pre-2004 construction, and required in Washington for all projects. Not only that, if you’re working with a contractor, the sample must be collected properly, too, by an AHERA-certified building inspector.
These requirements may seem burdensome, but they’re for good reason. Asbestos inhalation or ingestion represents a substantial risk to anyone occupying an asbestos-contaminated structure or working with the materials. And to put it simply, it’s just a good idea to know what you’re dealing with before disturbing any construction material.
Got questions about asbestos testing in Portland OR, Vancouver WA, and Salem OR? Give Atlas Labs, Inc. a call to learn more, or schedule an asbestos test today.
Atlas Labs delivers the most accurate asbestos and lead paint testing throughout Oregon and Washington.
You can depend on accurate results for post-abatement clearance testing in Portland, Oregon, by contacting us for service at Atlas Labs. We are an independent lab that delivers accurate data for lead, air quality, asbestos, mold testing, and other services.
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