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ROOM IDEAS |
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FURNITURE IDEAS |
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SAFETY |
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Asbestos Testing Kit
An asbestos testing kit allows you to collect a sample of suspected asbestos-containing material for laboratory testing. A kit should contain all of the necessary safety gear and protective clothing to allow you to safely remove your bonded asbestos materials around your home.
You'll need to measure the area you want to remove and ensure that the bags and plastic in the kit are sufficient. You can often add items to the kit if you are removing a larger area.
Some items you might find in a test kit:
- Non-breathable coveralls
- Disposable respirator
- Clear safety spectacles
- Nitrile coated gloves
- Shoe covers
- Large asbestos bags
- Builders plastic
- HD tape
- Asbestos sealer
- Spray bottle
- ‘Danger’ tape
- Mask fitting instructions
- Instructions
- Safety information
Some test kits, like the popular Pro-lab kit only contain gloves, a sample collection bag and a pre-paid envelope for mailing the sample to their laboratory. You are advised to obtain other protective items separately.
With any kit you buy, check whether the cost includes the laboratory fee or whether this is extra.
Take samples using
these procedures to minimize your exposure to asbestos fibers.
- Wear an appropriate respirator, as well as goggles and disposable gloves. A dust mask is NOT adequate. Be aware than breathing through a respirator is more difficult than normal breathing and places additional
stress on heart and lungs.
- Lay a plastic drop cloth under or next to the sample site.
- Sample an area that is already damaged or deteriorating, or if this is not possible, take
the sample from an area that is away from household traffic, such as a corner.
- Completely wet the sampling area with a mist of water from the spray bottle,
approximately 15 minutes before you obtain the sample. The water should contain two to three drops
of household dish detergent
- Wet the area again with the spray bottle and put on a pair of disposable gloves.
- Take the sample from the material very carefully. Break off a small piece of the material
from a corner. Lift the sample in one piece so as to minimize disturbance.
The sample should be approximately the size of a nickel or a quarter.
- Carefully put the sample inside a zip-lock bag, without contaminating the outside of the bag
with the sample. Set the bag down but do not seal it.
- Remove the gloves by turning them inside out. Seal them in a different plastic bag and
discard them.
- Remove the air from the sample bag and seal it. Then seal it inside another plastic bag. Bags must be lockable and sealable. Do not use tape or twist ties to seal the bag. If you are taking more than one sample, each one must be individually bagged and labeled.
- Label bags with the location and your name.
- Thoroughly wash the instruments used to take the sample outside with a hose or bucket of water.
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