Asbestos was widely used earlier for insulation purposes in buildings, but since the 1990s when its health hazards began surfacing, people have become cautious of its usage. Many governments around the world have even banned the mineral, but still many homes that were built before the 90s may have asbestos in them. In such properties, while conducting repairs or renovations, it is important to identify the presence of the mineral so that corrective actions can be taken. Contacting asbestos removal companies can be the best way to deal with the mineral, as they have the needed technical knowhow to deal with it.
Asbestos removal should not be taken up by individuals, as that can be fatal and professionals for the job must be rolled in for the purpose. Professionals from the best asbestos removal companies can help in identifying the trace of the mineral within a property with ease, as they have sophisticated machines for the purpose. We take a look here at how they can be helpful in testing asbestos within an area so that preventive steps can be planned accordingly.
Testing air samples – Many asbestos removal companies make use of Phase Contract Microscopy (PCM) so that asbestos fiber concentration can be determined. The process helps in indicating the presence of asbestos in air samples. It is a cheap and useful method that takes very little time for confirmation. The technique does not essentially establish asbestos existence in an area, but rather provides a complete picture of all types of fibers that may be present in an air sample.
For fibers that are too small to be identified using this technique, there is another sophisticated detection method known as Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) that many asbestos removal companies make use of. It is a more rigorous process and has now become synonymous for asbestos testing for all types of air samples. Companies make use of it to successfully identify the traces of the mineral with considerable ease.
Samples from building materials – Asbestos removal companies can be very helpful for collecting samples from building materials so that they can be tested for asbestos. Different types of techniques are used by them for detection, and the Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) is the most frequently used process for the purpose. It makes use of polarized light and its properties so that mineral-specific traits of fibers can be analyzed successfully.
By using the PLM process, asbestos removal companies can find out asbestos particles as well as the different types of asbestos particles that are there in a sample. The result of a test conducted with the help of the PLM process will show the asbestos percentage after analysis with a particular material, and that can be very easy for taking corrective action by the company.
Water and soil testing – Asbestos can be quite dangerous and can even pollute the soil and water too. Therefore, it becomes imperative to test them by taking the help of asbestos removal companies. Moreover, an environmental investigation can be conducted for illegal dumping of asbestos by conducting soil and water testing. Soil test for asbestos is usually performed by using the PLM process, but TEM technique can also be employed for the purpose. In the case of water samples, it can be done satisfactorily by making use of the TEM procedure.
It is important to mention here that testing for asbestos is a very specialized process, and accredited companies are only authorized to carry it out, as there can be potential health hazards during the process. Therefore, it is important to consult a reputed firm for the job so that they can test and recommend a suitable technique of asbestos removal from an area.
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