Welcome to Asbestos Testing Source, your premium resource for information on asbestos testing and analysis. Asbestos is a group of six minerals that have resistance to fire, heat and chemical reactions. Due to its fire resistance properties, asbestos was widely used for the construction of roofing materials, fire protection gear, and insulation. However, it was found to cause lung infections especially among the mine workers and has had its uses limited to prevent exposure.
Exposure to asbestos can happen at the place of work especially at power plants or construction sites, at home and from inhaling or ingesting naturally occurring asbestos. Once ingested or inhaled, asbestos fibers will form a film in your lung or stomach tissues. Our bodies are not equipped to expel these fibers hence increase the risk of lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma, and asbestosis. These diseases are quite fatal if left uncontrolled. Their symptoms take a long time to manifest themselves hence maybe noticed when it is already late.
Asbestos Testing Source helps educate and minimize the chance of you being exposed to asbestos. We also provide information on how a professional test is done. These tests are aimed at controlling the level of asbestos you come into contact with and which can affect your health. These tests include:
• Airborne Asbestos: Use of Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) to check for the tiniest of fibers in the air (up to 0.25 microns in diameter).This is combined with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to detect mineral types in these fibers.
• Bulk Materials: Involves the use of Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) to distinguish asbestos fiber from other types of fibers.
• Settled Dust and Non-Building Materials: Field samples are analyzed for asbestos using TEM.
• Soil and Sediment: Involves the use PLM to identify illegally dumped asbestos.
• Water and Aqueous Samples: Use of TEM to check for water contamination from asbestos.
A professional inspection and test for asbestos are recommended to get accurate data on the level of asbestos in your home. This will give you a way forward on how to minimize exposure to asbestos. A lot of common building materials contain asbestos. Be on the safe side. If you have any questions, please visit our website.