Texas Asbestos Testing Laboratory Services

Asbestos testing is an important part of evaluating older buildings, renovation projects, demolition activities, indoor environmental concerns and potentially asbestos-containing materials throughout Texas.

Professional asbestos laboratory analysis can determine whether suspect materials contain asbestos and, depending on the project, can also be used to evaluate airborne fibers, settled dust and other environmental samples.

Our laboratory provides asbestos testing services for environmental consultants, asbestos inspectors, industrial hygienists, contractors, restoration companies, property managers, schools, government agencies, commercial property owners and other professionals throughout Texas.

Samples can be analyzed using established laboratory techniques including Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM).

Asbestos can be present in many construction products installed in older residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Laboratory testing can help identify asbestos in materials such as:

Visual inspection alone cannot reliably determine whether a material contains asbestos. Laboratory analysis is used to identify and quantify asbestos fibers in suspect materials.

Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) is commonly used for the analysis of bulk building materials suspected of containing asbestos.

PLM analysis can identify asbestos fiber types and estimate the amount of asbestos present within a sample.

Common materials submitted for PLM asbestos testing include flooring, insulation, ceiling materials, mastics, roofing products, wall systems and other construction materials.

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) provides extremely detailed analysis of very small fibers and particles.

TEM asbestos analysis may be appropriate for certain air samples, dust samples, clearance investigations and situations where more sensitive microscopic identification is required.

TEM can differentiate asbestos fibers from many non-asbestos mineral fibers that may appear similar under less powerful microscopy techniques.

Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) is frequently used to evaluate airborne fiber concentrations.

PCM analysis is commonly associated with occupational and environmental air monitoring programs.

Because PCM counts fibers based on specified dimensional criteria rather than identifying individual fibers as asbestos, project professionals may select PCM or TEM depending on the purpose of the investigation.

Air monitoring may be performed during or after asbestos-related work to evaluate airborne fiber concentrations.

Samples collected by qualified professionals can be submitted for laboratory analysis using PCM or TEM methodologies depending on project requirements.

Air testing may be used in connection with:

Dust collected from indoor surfaces may sometimes be analyzed when asbestos contamination is suspected.

TEM analysis can provide detailed identification of asbestos structures within environmental samples.

Dust investigations may be associated with renovation activities, damaged asbestos-containing materials, construction events or other situations where asbestos fibers may have migrated into occupied spaces.

Sampling strategy and interpretation should be developed by an appropriately qualified environmental or asbestos professional.

Buildings can contain asbestos in materials that are not immediately obvious. Before renovation, remodeling or demolition work begins, suspect materials may need to be evaluated so project professionals can determine whether asbestos is present and plan the work appropriately.

Common projects that may involve asbestos testing include:

Identifying asbestos before materials are disturbed can help contractors, consultants and building owners make informed decisions about project planning and worker protection.

Asbestos laboratory services are used by professionals throughout the environmental, construction and property industries.

Typical clients include:

Commercial and industrial properties may contain asbestos-containing materials within mechanical systems, flooring, roofing, fireproofing, wall assemblies and other building components.

Testing can support environmental investigations associated with property transactions, renovations, facility maintenance, insurance claims and demolition projects.

Laboratory asbestos analysis provides objective analytical data that environmental professionals can use when evaluating suspect materials.

Older homes may contain asbestos in several types of building materials.

Potential sources can include:

Homeowners concerned about potential asbestos-containing materials can work with a qualified asbestos professional who can determine appropriate sampling procedures and submit samples to an accredited laboratory.

Project schedules often require asbestos laboratory results quickly.  Depending on sample type, laboratory capacity and requested analytical method, expedited turnaround options may be available.

Fast laboratory analysis can be particularly valuable for renovation projects, property transactions, restoration projects and other situations where construction schedules depend on analytical results.

Asbestos testing services are available for samples originating throughout Texas, including:

PLM, TEM and PCM asbestos laboratory services for projects throughout Houston.  Laboratory asbestos analysis for environmental consultants, contractors, property managers and building professionals throughout Houston and surrounding communities.

Asbestos laboratory services for projects throughout Dallas and North Texas.

Austin Asbestos Testing

Asbestos analysis for commercial, residential, institutional and environmental projects throughout the Austin area.

Laboratory testing of bulk materials, air and environmental samples originating from San Antonio and surrounding communities.

Asbestos laboratory services supporting construction, environmental and industrial projects throughout Fort Worth.

Laboratory asbestos analysis for projects in El Paso and West Texas.

Services are also available for projects in Arlington, Plano, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Irving, Garland, Frisco, McKinney, Amarillo, Brownsville, Pasadena, Grand Prairie, Killeen, McAllen, Denton, Waco and communities throughout Texas.

Asbestos analysis requires specialized equipment, trained analysts, quality assurance procedures and appropriate laboratory accreditation.

When selecting an asbestos laboratory, project professionals should consider:

These factors can be especially important when laboratory results are being used for regulatory, occupational, environmental or legal purposes.

Different asbestos analytical methods answer different questions.

PLM
Primarily used to identify asbestos in bulk building materials.

PCM
Used to count airborne fibers meeting specified dimensional criteria.

TEM
Uses electron microscopy to identify extremely small asbestos fibers and structures and can distinguish asbestos from many other fibers.

The appropriate method depends on the sample type, project objective and applicable requirements.

Samples from asbestos investigations throughout Texas can be submitted for professional laboratory analysis.

Available testing may include:

Contact the laboratory before sampling if you need assistance identifying the appropriate analytical method, sample requirements or available turnaround times.

When accurate asbestos results matter, experienced laboratory analysis provides critical information for environmental investigations, building assessments, renovation projects and asbestos management programs.