Asbestos Testing Services

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, February 3, 2025

During a large part of the past century, asbestos was used in numerous industrial and construction applications. Beginning in the 1970s, the use of asbestos began to decline as health concerns due to exposure to asbestos fibers became more widely recognized.

With regards to asbestos in residential settings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shares the following:

Generally, you can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos and leave it alone. You may want to have your home inspected for asbestos-containing materials by a trained and accredited asbestos professional if you are planning to remodel your home (remodeling can disturb building materials), or your home has damaged building materials (like crumbling drywall and insulation that is falling apart). 

It is important to note that federal law does not require persons who inspect, repair, or remove asbestos-containing materials in detached single-family homes to be trained and accredited; however, some states and localities do require this. For safety, EPA recommends that homeowners should ensure that workers they hire to handle asbestos are trained and accredited.

“Unfortunately, many of the building materials that contain asbestos from decades ago can still be found in homes and buildings throughout North America,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “People living or working in a building where asbestos fibers from these materials could become airborne need to understand that inhalation exposure over time is known to increase one’s chances of developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.”

To help identify and mitigate asbestos exposures in all types of properties, EMSL Analytical has dozens of testing laboratories available to assist homeowners, contractors, property managers, real estate developers, environmental professionals, and others test for asbestos. They also offer sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, personal protective equipment, building inspection tools, and a wide range of air sampling instruments. These resources not only help to protect against exposure hazards, they can be instrumental for keeping companies in compliance with asbestos regulations.

EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about things to consider if asbestos is suspected in a residential building that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/g9F5DAMd4Zo 

To learn more asbestos or other environmental, industrial hygiene, and material testing resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email info@EMSL.com. For access to asbestos test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. 

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.