EPA memorandum on carpet asbestos testing, June 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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the form that the carpet is to be tested by the EPA ultrasonication Millette method. You may need to fill in this information in the “OTHER” section of the form. If you do not clearly indicate the test method, the carpet may be analyzed by the bulk PLM method, which you do not want.

Ask them about pre-payment. A credit card number is the most convenient way. The cost of an ultrasonication carpet extraction test is around $250 for a 3-day turnaround, and $200 for a 5-day turnaround.

Ideas for taking carpet and other fabric samples

Choose a part of the carpet that would be most contaminated. A high traffic area would be a good choice. Also, a comer of a carpet that caimot be cleaned easily with a vacuum cleaner might be a good choice. A strip along a floorboard imder a window that gets dusty is another possibility.

Cutting out 16 square inches of carpet may be a problem, especially if you are a renter. Here are a few strategies; The carpet sample does not need to be in a square shape (4x4 inches). It also can be a narrow strip, like 1x16 inches or 2 x 8 inches. It also does not necessarily have to be in one piece, but a large number of small pieces will make it very difficult for the lab to measure the exact area.

If you do not have extra matching carpeting to replace the part that is cut out, you may be able to find matching replacement pieces in a closet, imder a desk or bookshelf, etc. The carpet sample that would be tested would still come from the place that is most contaminated. However, carpet from the closet or under a desk would be used to fill in the hole left by taking the sample.

Another idea would be to take a carpet sample from the center of hallway, and then replacing just the center of the hallway with contrasting carpeting. An inset rectangle or diamond shape would be very attractive.

For common areas in a building, a carpet-type floor mat could be tested if there is concern about cutting out a piece of a rug or wall-to-wall carpeting. First, purchase a replacement mat yourself. Then, retrieve, replace, and test the old mat.

A long narrow strip from the hem of draperies can be used for the samples, or the drapery lining can be used. For upholstered furniture, a side that does not show can be tested, but it would be

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