SimpleLab Guide to Testing Asbestos in a Lab: Choose the Right Test

Asbestos was once commonly added in the manufacture of building materials such as: insulation, flooring, concrete, and thousands of others. Today, even small disturbances to these materials can release hazardous fibers into the air. Because asbestos cannot be seen with the naked eye, it’s important to get materials tested in a lab to determine if they contain asbestos. Only laboratory analysis can confirm the presence or absence of asbestos.

SimpleLab offers a full suite of asbestos testing kits, making it easy to test materials, surfaces, particulates in the air, soils, and even water with the power of certified laboratory analysis.

Table of Contents:

• Finding the Right Asbestos Test Kit
• How Do They Work?
• When to Test?
• Relevant Industries & Kits
• Questions?

Finding the Right Asbestos Testing Kit

Asbestos testing kits help homeowners, contractors, and property managers identify potential asbestos-containing materials safely and accurately. SimpleLab offers a range of mail-to-lab asbestos testing kits, each tailored to a specific sample type (“matrix”):

• Basic Asbestos Materials Test — Professional asbestos testing at an affordable price: Tests one solid bulk material (e.g., insulation, ceiling tile, drywall) utilizing EPA method 600/R-93/116. (See also: 4x Pack and Rush 4x options)
  
  
• Advanced Asbestos Materials Test: Tests multiple material layers or complex composites (e.g., vinyl tiles or floor tiles with adhesive backing, cove base, popcorn ceiling) utilizing EPA method 600/R-93/116 with Gravimetric Prep. (See also: 4x Pack and Rush 4x options)
  
  
• Asbestos Surface Wipe Test: Identifies asbestos fibers collected from settled dust on surfaces, utilizing lab method ASTM D6480.
  
  
• Asbestos Soil Test: Determines asbestos concentration in soil or sediment, utilizing EPA method 600/R-93/116 with milling prep.
  
  
• Asbestos Water Test: Tests for asbestos in drinking water, utilizing EPA method 100.2.
  
  
• Asbestos Non-Potable Water Test: Targets industrial, process, or other non-potable waters, utilizing EPA method 100.2 (Modified).
  
  
• Asbestos Wastewater Test: Designed for testing wastewater discharge or wastewater from other other locations at treatment facilities, utilizing EPA method 100.2 (Modified).
  
  

Each kit includes:

• Sampling materials appropriate for the matrix
• Prepaid shipping
• Certified laboratory analysis
• Chain of custody documentation
• Easy-to-follow instructions
• Digital report-back viewable through a professional dashboard
  

Every test is analyzed using EPA-approved PLM (Polarized Light Microscopy) or TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) methods, depending on matrix type and detection requirements.

How Do the Tests Work?

All asbestos testing begins with representative sampling. Each SimpleLab kit guides you every step of the way so you can collect a small sample appropriately and send it securely to the lab:

• Material Tests (Basic and Advanced): Collect a small piece of suspect material (like tile or insulation) following enclosed safety instructions.
  
  
• Surface Wipe Test: Wipe a measured surface area (commonly 100 cm²) with provided wipes to collect settled dust.
  
  
• Soil Test: Collect a soil sample using the enclosed materials.
  
  
• Water Tests: Fill the provided bottle from the tap or water source.

Sampling Hint: You want a 1”x1” area, or quarter-size, of solid material; or a teaspoon of loose material.

What happens at the lab:

Once received, the lab dries, mounts, and analyzes the samples under high magnification using certified laboratory methods. A digital report is issued as fast as two days, identifying asbestos type, percent composition, and detection limits.

Whether you’re sampling a piece of insulation, dust from a renovation site, or soil from a demolition area, certified lab testing ensures results are accurate, defensible, and compliant with NVLAP standards — something over-the-counter or DIY “instant” kits simply cannot match. 

When Should I Test for Asbestos?

You should test for asbestos any time you (or others) might disturb materials that could contain it. 

As a general note, asbestos is broken into two main categories:

1. Friable - any building material that you can break apart by your hand without the need for a tool.
2. Non-Friable - any building material that is bound so you cannot easily break it apart without a tool.

While you should be on the lookout for asbestos in buildings or systems built before the 1980s, or at sites with a history of construction or demolition, almost all countries in the world still manufacture building materials with asbestos and export them to this day.

Specifically, you should test in the following scenarios:

• Building Materials: May contain asbestos in materials including insulation, tiles, roofing, siding, popcorn ceiling, wall board, adhesives or cement board, among others. Test before you:
  • Renovate, remodel, or demolish
  • Drill, sand, or disturb any suspect materials
  • Or if you notice damage, wear, or deterioration
    
    
• Dust: Asbestos fibers can settle in dust on surfaces long after a disturbance. Test if:
  • Renovations, abatement, or cleanup have taken place
  • You’re checking contamination on furniture, vents, or equipment
  • You want to verify a clean environment post-construction or post-remediation
    
    
• Soil: Asbestos can contaminate soil from old buildings, fill material, or illegal dumping. Asbestos is also naturally occurring in soils all over the United States — especially in areas with serpentine rock. Test if:
  • The land had demolition, fire damage, or prior industrial use
  • You see old debris or insulation fragments
  • You’re developing, gardening, or landscaping on older sites
    
    
• Water: Asbestos fibers can enter water supplies through old asbestos-cement pipes or natural deposits. Test if:
  • You use a private well
  • Your water system has aged cement piping
  • You notice particles or cloudiness in tap water
    

Who Are These Kits Right For?

SimpleLab’s range of asbestos testing kits are designed to assist members of the following industries:

• Construction & Renovation
• Demolition & Waste Management
• Property Management & Real Estate
• Environmental Consulting
• Public Health & Safety Agencies

Each SimpleLab kit is designed for different stages of asbestos management — from identification to clearance testing — ensuring reliable answers from certified professionals.

Asbestos testing is not a one-size-fits-all process, but accuracy is paramount. With SimpleLab, you can confidently select the right kit for your sample type with the knowledge that your results are backed by accredited laboratory methods and expert review.

Questions? Contact Us

SimpleLab makes professional asbestos testing simple and accessible where and when you need it.

If you have any questions about testing with SimpleLab, reach out to our customer support team any time.