Asbestos Inspections, Consultation & Testing
Criterion’s licensed Asbestos Building Inspectors are certified to conduct visual inspections and collect samples of any suspected materials to be tested by our accredited laboratory.
Our project managers will provide consulting by quantifying the risk and providing the next steps in order to ensure regulatory compliance.
Field Accreditations
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was admired for its soft and pliant properties, as well as its ability to withstand heat. It is distinguished from other minerals by the fact that its crystals form long, thin fibers. However, asbestos is now known to be highly dangerous and toxic – inhaled fibers cause serious health issues.
For more information, visit the EPA’s website on Asbestos.
Dangers of Asbestos
Types of Asbestos and Health Risks
Asbestos is classified as either friable or non-friable.
- Friable Asbestos: a material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to a powder by hand pressure. A material that has begun to deteriorate due to age, weathering, or wear and tear can become friable. Friable asbestos is exceptionally hazardous because the microscopic fibers easily detach and become airborne.
- Non-Friable Asbestos: a material that cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to a powder by hand pressure. However, non-friable asbestos can become friable when subjected to unusual conditions, including demolition or renovation.
When inhaled, the asbestos fibers accumulate in the lungs, leading to diseases including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
If you suspect an asbestos containing material (ACM) in your building, contact a certified Asbestos Building Inspector. Call Criterion Labs for a free asbestos consultation: (215) 244-1300
Where is Asbestos found?
Asbestos was widely used in construction and building materials in the 20th century before the health risks of asbestos exposure were discovered. Today, there are over 3,000 common products and building materials that may contain asbestos.
Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM) are often found in:
- Surfacing spray-on
- Plaster
- Ceiling tiles
- Vinyl floor sheeting and tiles
- Pipe, boiler, and other thermal insulation
- Industrial caulking, glue, and mastic
- Roofing materials – shingles and tar
The EPA provides guidance on where asbestos is found in schools and buildings.
Asbestos Testing & Inspection Services
How is Asbestos tested?
Asbestos inspections and asbestos surveys identify the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) throughout a property. During an inspection, a licensed inspector collects samples of suspect materials, which are then analyzed in an accredited laboratory for confirmation.
Since asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye, laboratory analysis is performed using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). A material is classified as ACM if it contains more than 1% asbestos by composition. Asbestos testing methods are governed by leading regulatory and scientific organizations, including AIHA, EPA, OSHA, and ASTM.
Our Asbestos Inspectors
The certified inspectors of Criterion perform detailed facility inspections to recognize and collect suspect ACM materials to identify all asbestos-containing materials.
Criterion’s asbestos Inspectors are fully qualified to assess material conditions and recommend appropriate corrective action.
Our inspections comply with:
- AHERA – for private and public schools
- Pre-demolition and renovation requirements – for federal, state, and local building permits
- Real estate transaction inspections – for buyers, sellers, and property managers
- Occupant concern inspections – for residential and commercial tenants
AHERA Asbestos Inspections for Schools
Many older school buildings still have asbestos-containing building materials (ACM). The EPA’s Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires an EPA Certified Asbestos Building Inspector to conduct an asbestos reinspection of schools every three years and a periodic surveillance every six months, to reassess the condition of asbestos-containing materials.
Criterion’s AHERA inspections and periodic surveillance include preparation of Asbestos Operation Management Plan (O&M) by one of our EPA Certified Asbestos Management Planners. These plans document asbestos locations, condition of material, inspection dates, updated O&M Plan, and recommendations as needed. Criterion also has certified trainers to ensure compliance for your facility and maintenance by providing a 16-hour O&M training class for Class III asbestos and a 2-hour Asbestos awareness training class
Accredited Asbestos Testing Laboratory
Criterion’s asbestos testing lab performs asbestos testing in air, soil, and bulk building materials. Our lab specializes in PLM and PCM
Our lab is fully accredited by NVLAP (Lab Code 102046-0) and the AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs (AIHA LAP, LLC, LAP-100424) under the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program (IHLAP).
Criterion provides the following analyses related to asbestos testing:
- PLM (Polarized Light Microscopy)
- PLM EPA 600/R-93/116 & 40 CFR, Part 763, Subpart E, Appendix E (formerly Subpart F, Appendix A)
- PLM Gravimetric Analysis US EPA 600/R-93/116
- PLM Vermiculite
- EPA Point Count (400 & 1000 Points)
- PCM (Phase Contrast Microscopy) — Air Samples
- PCM AIR – NIOSH 7400 A&B Counting Rules
- TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) — Air and Bulk for Contracted Clients
- 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
Asbestos Abatement Monitoring
Criterion does not perform the asbestos abatement. However, Criterion offers asbestos air testing and monitoring during asbestos abatement and final clearance testing. Here is a list of our recommended Abatement Contractors.
Asbestos Air Testing During and After Abatement
Criterion performs asbestos air testing, monitoring, and oversight for asbestos abatement projects to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. Criterion’s industrial hygienists meticulously log the abatement contractors’ daily activities, project progression, ensure compliance, and conduct air sample analysis to make sure asbestos fibers are not released during the abatement. After the abatement is completed, asbestos clearance tests are collected to verify that the area is safe to reoccupy.
All of Criterion’s asbestos air monitors are NIOSH 582-trained; they are certified to read Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) samples on-site and analyze the collected air samples for asbestos.
Asbestos Abatement Project Design
Any renovation or demolition activities that will disturb asbestos-containing materials must be completed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Criterion’s EPA Certified Asbestos Project Designers create customized work plans and specifications to ensure that the work adheres to the federal, state, and local regulations.
FAQ
What should I do if I suspect a material in my building contains asbestos?
If you identify suspect material, do not disturb, cut, or scrape it. The only definitive way to confirm whether a material contains asbestos is to have samples analyzed by a qualified laboratory.
Asbestos was used in thousands of building products. Common examples include:
- Walls & Ceilings: Plasters, joint compounds, and textured coatings.
- Insulation: Thermal pipe insulation, tank/boiler jackets, and vermiculite.
- Flooring: Resilient floor tiles and their dark mastic adhesives.
- Structural: Gaskets, sealants, and cement wall boards (transite).
When is asbestos testing legally recommended or required?
According to EPA guidelines, you should test for asbestos under two primary conditions:
- Damaged Materials: If suspect building materials are actively fraying, crumbling, or showing water damage.
- Renovation or Demolition: Before any construction, remodeling, or demolition work that would physically disturb the suspect materials.
Who is legally allowed to collect asbestos samples for testing?
Asbestos samples should only be collected by properly trained, licensed, and accredited asbestos building inspectors or investigators. Unauthorized sampling can accidentally release toxic fibers into the air, creating severe health hazards and regulatory liabilities for property owners.
What are the most common types of asbestos found in building materials?
While there are six types of asbestos minerals, laboratory analysis most frequently identifies two primary types in bulk building materials:
- Chrysotile (White Asbestos): The most common type used commercially. It is routinely found in plaster walls, ceiling sealants, roofing materials, gaskets, and certain cement floorings.
- Amosite (Brown Asbestos): Highly resistant to heat. It is typically found in thermal pipe insulation, boiler jackets, ceiling tiles, and structural cement sheets.
What methods and accreditations does Criterion Labs use for asbestos Analysis?
Criterion Labs holds top-tier national accreditations to perform legally defensible asbestos testing using standard EPA and NIOSH methodologies:
- Bulk Material Testing: We utilize Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) under EPA Method 600/R-93/116. Our laboratory is fully accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP Lab Code 102046-0).
- Airborne Fiber Counting: We perform Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) analysis using NIOSH Method 7400. This program is accredited by the AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs (AIHA LAP, LLC, ID LAP-100424) under the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program (IHLAP).
- On-Site Testing: Criterion’s staff of on-site Industrial Hygienists are fully licensed to perform rapid PCM air sample analysis directly at your project location.
- Advanced Clearance (TEM): For specific projects requiring the highest level of scrutiny- such as public or private school abatement- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) may be deployed to achieve official clearance.
When should air testing be conducted for asbestos, and what is the clean air standard?
Asbestos air testing must be conducted following the removal, abatement, or repair of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) to ensure that microscopic fibers have not been dangerously disturbed.
The EPA mandates this testing to protect building occupants. To achieve official project clearance, the environment must meet the federal clean air standard of less than 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter of air (< 0.01 f/cc) as analyzed under microscopic evaluation.