EPA memorandum on ultrasonication test for asbestos

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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 preferable to test a piece from a flat, upper horizontal surface which would be more contaminated.

Superiority and advantages of the ultrasonication carpet test

Some argue that testing carpet and fabrics with the hand-held ASTM microvacuum suction pump would be a good enough test, since it would get out the easily releasable asbestos. In this method, carpet and other fabrics are sampled by a hand-held air suction pump. The fabric is essentially vacuumed by the pump. The asbestos is caught on a filter, and then the filter is sent to the lab for testing.

However, this ASTM microvacuum sampling pump is only a first-line test for carpet and other woven fabrics, and is not definitive. The microvacuum pump does not apply eny greater suction than a good vacuum cleaner. High impacts, such as a child running or rolling on the carpet, will release much more asbestos than any vacuuming process. The EPA ultrasonication method will extract over 100 times the amount of asbestos from carpet compared to the ASTM microvacuum method. The ultrasonication method is also an official EPA method specific to carpet, and is thus preferred.’

The most meaningful asbestos test that a resident can have, whether or not they have a consultant to take samples, is EPA’s ultrasonication extraction test for carpeting, draperies, or upholstery fabric. Over 100 times the amount of asbestos will be found in carpet using EPA’s ultrasonication test, compared to the ASTM microvacuum sampling method.^

?\n ultrasonication test may be the best way to tell if asbestos is present in a residence or office. Carpeting and upholstered fabric can be tested to see if it needs abatement, or it can be tested after abatement to determine whether it was decontaminated. Hard smooth surfaces may show no asbestos contamination with the ASTM microvacuum method if tested soon after cleaning. But carpeting cannot be cleaned effectively, and will show any residual asbestos.

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