Asbestos is a silicate material naturally occurring in the environment. It was used during the early 20th-century in construction material because of its light, strong, and fire-retardant properties.
Asbestos contains microfibres which pose a grave health risk to those subject to prolonged exposure. When inhaled, the fibres attach to the lungs, damaging tissue and causing life-threatening diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and other forms of cancer.
We realize that it might be hard to coordinate the sample delivery. You have to take the sample, deliver it to the lab, and everything in between (drive-times, traffic, etc.).
That’s why we offer automatic sampling. Simply call us, tell us where to go, and we will send a technician to:
- collect the sample
- bring it back to the lab
- deliver you the sample analysis results via phone, FAX or email
You don’t have to do a single thing.
Call us for bulk pricing or quicker turnaround times on our automatic sampling service.
Absolutely.
For anyone within the Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal corridor, we will send a professional to pick-up your sample, drop it at the lab, and deliver the results to you. No effort on your part required.
If you’re outside those areas, call us. For an additional fee (for travel expenses) we’ll travel almost anywhere within reason.
The simple steps to collecting an air sample are:
- Run your air pump with the cassette inside. You’ll need 2,400 litres for a clearance test, and 480 litres for personal air monitoring.
- Remove the cassette from the pump. Place it in a Ziploc bag and label it
- Label the bag. (ex: “A1 = living room”).
- Place all bags in one larger Ziploc bag and write the address location.
Get all the details on how to collect your own samples in our Asbestos Sampling Guide.
The basic steps to collecting a bulk sample are:
- Use personal protective equipment (i.e. dust mask, protective glasses, and gloves).
- Collect the material, put it in a Ziploc bag and seal.
- Label the Ziploc bag. (ex: “A1 = living room ceiling – popcorn ceiling”).
- Place all Ziploc bags in one larger bag with your Chain of Custody form inside.
Get all the details on how to collect your own samples in our Asbestos Sampling Guide.
A bulk (solid) sample just needs to be roughly the size of a dime.
Here are the most common places you’ll find asbestos. Your sample only needs to be the size of a dime:
- Drywall mudding compound
- Vinyl floor tiles (VCT floor tiles)
- Linoleum flooring
- Silicone around windows/sliding doors
- Textured popcorn ceiling
- Textured walls
- Plaster
- Attic/wall insulation
- Roofing materials
To avoid making a mess, plan before taking each sample. Luckily, we’ve put together details for each of the above locations in our Asbestos Sampling Guide.
Print out our Chain Of Custody form and fill out all 6 sections:
Admin information
- Contact info
- Project information
- Address of the property where sample is taken
- Project ID, if applicable
Delivery of results
- phone, FAX or email
Sample details
- Sample name
- Sample descriptions
- Date/time the samples were taken
Analysis required
- Check off the type of sample, and what it’s being tested for
- Common tests include Bulk Asbestos, Air Quality Testing, and Mould Spore-Trap
Turnaround time (TAT)
- Be sure to call or email for each pricing option
Special instructions, Print/Save/Email
- Fill in your instructions regarding the test(s), sample(s) or anything else you feel we should know
- Print/Save/Email the form using the convenient buttons.
You can find detailed information on how to fill out the chain of custody form here. You’ll find screenshots of every part of the form, and samples of completed forms.
We can supply any pump or equipment needed for bulk and air sampling.
For air sampling, we offer pumps and air sampling kits.
Call us or come in and you can get the supplies you need from us.
We realize that it might be hard to coordinate the sample delivery. You have to take the sample, deliver it to the lab, and everything in between (drive-times, traffic, etc.).
That’s why we offer automatic sampling. Simply call us, tell us where to go, and we will send a technician to:
- collect the sample
- bring it back to the lab
- deliver you the sample analysis results via phone, FAX or email
You don’t have to do a single thing.
Call us for bulk pricing or quicker turnaround times on our automatic sampling service.
Absolutely.
For anyone within the Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal corridor, we will send a professional to pick-up your sample, drop it at the lab, and deliver the results to you. No effort on your part required.
If you’re outside those areas, call us. For an additional fee (for travel expenses) we’ll travel almost anywhere within reason.
Pricing for samples depends on:
- turnaround times and
- the type of analysis required
As long as you have a chain of custody form filled out, we don’t need any more information about your sample.
Please give us a call for specific pricing details!
Collect your sample in a Ziploc bag.
Don’t cross-contaminate your bulk and air samples. Using separate bags to collect individual samples is the best way to keep them from cross-contamination.
Once you’ve collected the samples, bring them into the lab. You can fill out your chain of custody form before you come, or we can help you fill it out in person.
When we’re done testing, your sample is stored for 30 days, then we safely dispose of it.
You don’t even have to drop the sample off in person. We have a few options for you to submit your sample to us.
Yes. Our certifications include NIOSH 7400 accreditation.
We can test for the following substances from your samples:
- Asbestos
- Mold
- Lead
- Silica
- Acrylonitrile
- Arsenic
- Benzene
- Coke oven emissions
- Ethylene oxide
- Isocyanates
- Mercury
- Vinyl chloride
Learn more about how we approach testing these substances here.
8am-4pm, Monday to Friday.
We’re available for evening and weekend analysis for rush priority orders if requested ahead of time.
No. Asbestos is an inorganic mineral. By that definition, it doesn’t grow.