Asbestos Identification Services

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral fiber known for its high heat resistance, high tensile strength, and noise absorption. These desirable properties led to the widespread use of asbestos in a variety of commercial materials starting in the early 1900s. Despite its practical applications, asbestos has been linked with serious health effects such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Where to Look

Asbestos can be found in various building materials like ceiling and floor tiles, glues and adhesives, textured paint and patching compounds, siding shingles and sheets, insulation, drop ceiling tiles, roofing products, and heat-resistant fabrics. If you are planning to remodel your home or have damaged building materials and you are not sure if they contain asbestos, you may want to have your home inspected by a trained and accredited asbestos professional.

We Can Help

NEL uses polarized light microscopy (PLM) for asbestos identification following EPA Method 600/R-93/116. Our Asbestos Laboratory is State of Maine certified and is proficient through AIHA’s Bulk Asbestos Proficiency Analytical Testing program. Our asbestos analyses identify the type and percentage of asbestos in your samples from a wide variety of bulk building materials.

Questions?

To learn more about asbestos in your home, see EPA’s resource page: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-exposures-asbestos

Contact our Asbestos Laboratory for more information about testing and pricing through our website or at (207) 878-6481.