PCM cassettes
Asbestos was heavily used in North America, UK, and Australia until the 1980’s. Even now, 40 years later, we are still dealing with building heavily contaminated with asbestos. Please remember that it is unsafe to work with asbestos without proper protection and training. The best approach is to test your property for asbestos before you start the renovation. If asbestos is detected you shouldn’t attempt to remove it yourself. The right way to do it is to hire a licensed asbestos removal company.
When the removal is complete and the house is clean from construction debris and dust, you can use the ASBESTOS CLEARANCE TEST to demonstrate that the area is is safe. The asbestos clearance level is established at 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter (0.01 ff/cc as defined in Ontario Asbestos Regulation 278-05). This test is performed when the construction area is cleaned, but before your family can use the room.
LCS Laboratory offers a DIY sampling kit and laboratory analysis for the “Asbestos Clearance Test”. The test is used by asbestos abatement professionals to demonstrate that the asbestos is safely removed and the concentration of asbestos fibers is below the harmful level of 0.01 (ff/cc). The testing procedure is defined in the method NIOSH 7400 and often called a “PCM method”.
Who Should Use this Kit?
- Homeowners can use the kit as a self-assessment technique if asbestos is accidentally disturbed during recent renovations.
- Abatement companies must use it on the final step in the asbestos remediation process. The sampling should be performed when the removal is complete and the house is cleaned from construction debris and dust. The remediation company demonstrates that the area is properly cleaned and it is safe for tenants to use the room. This is a requirement of the Ontario Asbestos Regulation 278-05
Sampling Kit. Your sampling kit includes an air sampling pump, several cassettes for asbestos sampling, sampling instruction, and prepaid laboratory analysis. Sampling instructions can be downloaded from our “Sampling Manuals” page. Once you complete the test, please complete an “Air Testing” request form and return the form, pump, and samples to our laboratory for analysis.
When to sample? Use this test when the asbestos removal is complete, and the area is cleaned and washed from the debris and dust. the purpose of the clearance test is to demonstrate that it is safe to move in. Do not collect the samples in the middle of the renovation. The samples will be spoiled and overloaded with construction dust.
Read and Understand your Report. Please check the example of a laboratory report to make sure that you are comfortable with its format. The test is designed as an affordable screening procedure, and it measures the total of ALL fibers in the air: asbestos and non-asbestos fibers. It is well known that the test overestimates the concentration of asbestos fibers. The theory behind the test is that if the concentration of ALL fibers in your house is below the regulated limit of 0.01 ff/cc, then you are safe.
To receive an instant quote and to order your sampling kit, please follow the “add to cart” link below:
About LCS Laboratory Inc., and this test. We are a professional testing laboratory located in London, Ontario. We developed this kit as an affordable DIY option for homeowners and construction professionals. Please email us if you have any questions. Thank you for your interest and stay safe.
at 11:57 am
The asbestos tap around any duck work…needs to be removed ?
at 4:14 pm
You can order removal service from a professional asbestos abatement company. You should not do it yourself
at 3:41 pm
The Question is the asbestos tap around the duck …does it have to be removed .
Yes I understand it needs a professional abatement team.
at 10:14 pm
Hello Bobby. Removal is one of the solutions. As a temporary measure, you can “encapsulate” it wrap it, or paint it over to make it less friable. If you decide not to remove the asbestos, you may want to leave there a tag “asbestos material” as a reminder to yourself.
at 10:01 pm
I work in an elementary school. The entire school had asbestos tiles removed years ago, except in one room. I am concerned about my safety and safety of the children who play on the floor. Additionally,, the janitor vacumms the tiles while we are in the room.
at 10:06 pm
Hello Sandra. It is not something you should investigate on your own.