Environmental Testing

Asbestos Services

Criterion’s Asbestos Inspectors locate and sample asbestos in homes and buildings. Contact Criterion to schedule an asbestos inspection or visit Criterion’s Asbestos Laboratory Services for more information: visit our page here.

(215) 244-1300

About Asbestos

Asbestos is a name for the group highly-fibrous materials identified by long, thin mineral fibers. These materials are found naturally in rock and soil. Asbestos has favorable properties; specifically, asbestos doesn’t burn and has a high melting temperature (~1600°F). Therefore, asbestos has useful properties for fireproofing and other applications. Appropriately, the name Asbestos comes from a Greek term meaning inextinguishable. Unfortunately, asbestos is dangerous and toxic. For more information, visit the EPA’s website on Asbestos.

Where is Asbestos?

Asbestos was widely used in construction and building materials before the side-effects of asbestos exposure were discovered. However, asbestos is still found in insulation, roofing, floor & ceiling tile, asbestos cement products, friction products, heat-resistant fabric, and other building materials. The EPA describes where asbestos can be found in Schools and Buildings.

Dangers of Asbestos

The asbestos in homes and buildings is classified as either friable or non-friable. Asbestos materials are only dangerous when they are friable, which means that the asbestos has begun to deteriorate. Non-friable asbestos cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to a powder by hand pressure. Since Asbestos is only a hazard when the fibers become airborne, non-friable asbestos is not an immediate hazard. However, non-friable asbestos can become friable when subjected to unusual conditions, including demolition or renovation. Friable asbestos is dangerous because the shredded fibers easily become airborne when disturbed. When inhaled, the mineral fibers accumulate in the lungs, leading to diseases including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

If you suspect your home contains friable asbestos-containing material, consider contacting an asbestos inspector near me with asbestos certifications. Call today for a free asbestos consultation: (215) 244-1300

Testing for Asbestos

Asbestos Inspections and Asbestos Testing Surveys identify the presence of asbestos throughout the property. During the inspection, an inspector collects bulk samples. Since asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye, an accredited asbestos testing lab analyses the samples with microscopes. Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are any material containing >1% asbestos. Organizations like NIOSH, EPA, OSHA, and ASTM publish methods describing the appropriate techniques for asbestos testing. Criterion’s laboratory is accredited to test for asbestos. We also do Asbestos Inspections, and Criterion’s Training Courses provide training for licensed asbestos professionals.

Asbestos Abatement

Criterion does not perform asbestos abatement. Here is a list of Abatement Contractors.

Complete Asbestos Testing Services

Criterion provides a full-range of Asbestos Testing Services. Call us today to speak with our Licensed Asbestos Professionals: (215) 244-1300.

• Asbestos Training
  • Asbestos Building Inspector, Asbestos Supervisor, Asbestos Worker, Asbestos Management Planner
• Air Monitoring
• Facility & Building Inspections
• Abatement Project Design
• Asbestos Management Plans
  • AHERA 6-month Surveillance
  • AHERA 3-year Inspection
• OSHA Personal Monitoring
• Asbestos Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Programs
• Asbestos Laboratory Analysis
  • Air, Soil, & Bulk Building Materials

Asbestos Air Testing

Asbestos air testing and asbestos air monitoring use calibrated pumps and filtered cassettes to ensure that asbestos is not released. Asbestos clearance verify that the area is safe to re-occupy. Criterion’s trained asbestos air monitors use a microscope for asbestos testing. Personnel air monitoring is reported for OSHA compliance.

Asbestos Inspectors

Criterion performs Facility Inspections to identify asbestos-containing materials.  Asbestos inspections comply with AHERA for schools, pre-demolition and renovation requirements for local building permits, real estate transactions and occupant concerns.  Criterion’s asbestos Inspectors are fully qualified to assess material conditions and recommend appropriate corrective action.

Asbestos Abatement Project Design

Any construction, renovation, or demolition activities that will disturb asbestos-containing materials, the asbestos must first be abated by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Criterion’s Certified Asbestos Project Designers customizes work plans and specifications to ensure the work adheres to federal, state, and local regulations. Criterion notifies the appropriate regulatory authorities and ensure that the work is completed on schedule.

AHERA Asbestos Inspector

Older school buildings often contain asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM). The EPA’s Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires asbestos inspection of schools every three years to reassess the condition of asbestos-containing materials. The inspection documents the current condition of the asbestos materials. Additionally, six-month inspections monitor the condition of the asbestos materials.

Criterion’s asbestos inspections services include Asbestos Management Plans. These plans document asbestos locations, inspection dates, future plans, and recommendations.

Asbestos Testing Lab

Criterion’s asbestos testing lab performs asbestos testing in Air, Water, Soil, and Bulk Building Materials. Our lab specializes in PLM analysis for Asbestos using EPA Method 600 R 93 116 (600/R-93/116) and PCM analysis for Airborne Fiber Counting using NIOSH Method 7400. Click to visit our Asbestos Laboratory Services page.

Criterion provides the following analyses related to asbestos testing:

• PLM (Polarized Light Microscopy) EPA 600/R-93/116
• EPA Point Count (400 & 1000 Points)
• PLM Gravimetric Analysis US EPA 600/R-93/116
• PLM Vermiculite
• PLM Sediment Analysis – EPA Superfund Site
• Asbestos by XRD- EPA 600 Friable & Non-friable Bulk Qualitative
• Asbestos by XRD- EPA 600 Friable & Non-friable Bulk Quantitative
• EPA 600/R-04/004 – Weight % Asbestos in Vermiculite
• PCM (Phase Contrast Microscopy) AIR – NIOSH 7400 A&B Counting Rules
• TEM – Asbestos AIR- AHERA
• TEM – Asbestos AIR- EPA Level 2 & Level 2 Modified
• TEM – Asbestos AIR- NIOSH 7402 (TEM)
• TEM – Asbestos BULK- ASTM, Surface Dust
• TEM – Asbestos BULK- TEM Bulk, Semi-Quantitative Bulk Building Material

Criterion is an asbestos testing lab near me with professional asbestos inspectors. Our environmental technicians are trained asbestos inspector near me. Call for an asbestos lab test or asbestos training to receive asbestos certifications and an asbestos license.