How to Test Your Home for Asbestos—With or Without a DIY Test Kit

A friable material can be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Examples may include:

• Deteriorating pipe insulation
• Some sprayed-on ceiling coatings
• Damaged insulation
• Crumbling plaster or other soft materials

Because friable materials break apart easily, they are more likely to release fibers when disturbed.

A non-friable material is more solid and cannot normally be crumbled by hand pressure. Examples may include intact vinyl floor tile, cement siding and some roofing materials.

Non-friable does not mean risk-free. Cutting, sanding, grinding, drilling or aggressively breaking a non-friable material can damage it and release fibers.

Before disturbing the material:

• Keep other people and pets away from the area.
• Shut off fans and heating or cooling systems that could circulate dust.
• Close nearby windows and doors if air movement could spread dust.
• Prepare two clean, sealable Ziploc-style bags.
• Label the outer bag with the material and sample location.
• Put on disposable gloves and appropriate respiratory protection.
• Avoid sanding, sawing, grinding or drilling the material.

Do not collect more material than the laboratory needs.

If the material is friable, lightly mist the immediate sampling area with water before removing the sample. Dampening the material can help reduce the release of fibers.

Use a gentle mist. Do not use a forceful spray that could scatter, damage or dislodge the material.

Carefully remove a representative piece measuring approximately 1 inch by 1 inch.

When possible, the sample should include the material through its full depth so the laboratory can evaluate all the layers present. Disturb only the amount necessary to collect the sample.

A flooring sample, for example, may include both the floor tile and the adhesive underneath it. Because those are separate materials, they may need to be analyzed as separate layers.

After collecting the material:

1. 1Place the sample inside a clean Ziploc-style bag.
2. 2Seal the first bag completely.
3. 3Place the sealed bag inside a second Ziploc-style bag.
4. 4Seal the outer bag.
5. 5Clearly label the outer bag with the sample name, material and location.
6. 6Use a damp disposable cloth to carefully wipe the exterior of the bag if necessary.

Do not sweep, dry-dust or use a household or shop vacuum to clean suspect asbestos debris. These actions may spread fibers through the air.

Complete the Chain of Custody form using the same sample name or identification number written on the bag.

Place the double-bagged sample and completed Chain of Custody form inside a sturdy mailing envelope or box. Mail or deliver the submission to:

After receiving and reviewing the submission, ETL will contact you for payment.

Questions about the material, required sample amount or appropriate testing method? Call ETL at 734-955-6600 before collecting or mailing the sample.

Download the Chain of Custody Form

Analysis of a single-layer sample can cost as little as $20.

A layer is one distinct building material that must be analyzed. What appears to be one sample may contain several separate materials. For example:

• A piece of uncoated ceiling texture may be one layer.
• An individual vinyl floor tile may be one layer.
• Floor tile with black adhesive attached may contain two layers: the tile and the adhesive.
• Drywall with joint compound and paint may contain multiple layers.
• Sheet flooring may include a surface layer and separate backing material.

Each layer may need to be analyzed individually because asbestos can be present in one material but absent from another. The final price depends on the type and number of materials contained in the submitted sample.

If you mail or deliver a sample directly, ETL will review it and contact you for payment.

Bulk asbestos testing may be appropriate for many residential building materials, including:

• ✓Vinyl floor tile
• ✓Sheet flooring and flooring backing
• ✓Black mastic and other flooring adhesives
• ✓Popcorn ceilings
• ✓Textured wall and ceiling coatings
• ✓Drywall joint compound
• ✓Plaster
• ✓Pipe and heating-system insulation
• ✓Cement siding and transite panels
• ✓Roofing materials

ETL analyzes bulk building materials using Polarized Light Microscopy, commonly called PLM.

PLM allows a trained laboratory analyst to examine the material and identify asbestos fibers. The resulting laboratory report identifies the submitted sample and indicates whether asbestos was detected in the material analyzed.

Testing provides information that can help you make informed decisions before proceeding with a renovation, repair or removal project.

After your asbestos sample reaches the laboratory:

1. 1ETL reviews the sample and Chain of Custody information.
2. 2A laboratory team member contacts you for payment.
3. 3The submitted material is prepared and analyzed.
4. 4Your laboratory results are emailed to you.

Provide accurate contact information and clearly identify where each sample was collected. Matching the labels on the bags to the Chain of Custody form helps the laboratory connect each result to the correct material and location.