Which asbestos test does your project need?
IRIS Environmental Laboratories · 2 min read
Air, bulk or waste solids: match your project and regulation to the right asbestos method, accreditation and turnaround before you collect.
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IRIS tests asbestos in three matrices: air, bulk building materials, and waste solids. Match your situation to the method before you collect.
Match your job to the test
| Your situation | Test | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Workers exposed during renovation, abatement or demolition | PCM air, NIOSH 7400 | PCM is the OSHA-accepted method for air fibre counting (PEL 0.1 f/cc) |
| Post-abatement clearance before reoccupancy | TEM air, AHERA (40 CFR 763 App. A) | AHERA mandates TEM clearance after abatement in schools; criterion 70 s/mm² |
| Pre-renovation or pre-demolition survey | Bulk PLM, EPA 40 CFR App. E | NESHAP requires an ACM survey before demolition; AHERA requires a certified ACM survey of all schools |
| Demolition debris or solid waste for disposal | Waste solids, PLM or TEM (NY ELAP) | NY ELAP Items 198.1, 198.4 and 198.6 classify friable and non-friable waste in NJ and NY |
| Floor tile, transite or roofing | Non-friable PLM (NOB), NY ELAP Item 198.6 | NOB quantifies asbestos in non-friable materials that cannot be pulverised |
Methods and turnaround
| Matrix | Methods | Standard turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Air monitoring | NIOSH 7400 (PCM), 40 CFR 763 App. A (TEM) | 24 to 48 hours (PCM), 48 hours (TEM) |
| Bulk materials, friable and non-friable | EPA 40 CFR App. E, EPA 600/R-93/116, EPA 40 CFR App. A (AHERA) | 24 to 48 hours, rush available |
| Waste solids and NOB | NY ELAP Items 198.1, 198.4 and 198.6, EPA 600/M4/82/020, TEM non-friable | 3 to 5 business days |
The bulk COC offers 6, 24, 48 and 72-hour rush options.
Which accreditation backs it
- NJ NELAP #20045: PCM (NIOSH 7400) and TEM (40 CFR 763 Subpart E, App. A)
- NY ELAP #12738: air fibre analysis, friable and non-friable bulk, and TEM methods, for projects where NY State, NYC or the specification requires ELAP approval
- NVLAP 600211-0: bulk asbestos, with nationwide recognition
On a multi-state job, one lab covers NJ, NY and NVLAP requirements, so there is no need to split shipments. Write the accreditation you need on the COC, with the location and material description.
What the report shows
- PCM: fibre count in f/cc, compared with the OSHA PEL and action level
- Bulk PLM: % asbestos by type, with the NESHAP threshold noted
- TEM AHERA: s/mm² result with clearance pass or fail
How samples travel
Air cassettes and bulk samples ship at ambient temperature, with no refrigeration. Ship AHERA clearance samples within 24 hours of collection.
Pick the form
- Air samples: Start the asbestos air COC
- Bulk and NOB samples: Start the asbestos bulk COC
Not sure which method or accreditation your jurisdiction needs? Contact the lab or email support@irislaboratories.com.
Chain of custody
Pick the form that matches your test.
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