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NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

HOW TO TAKE AND SUBMIT SAMPLES

Call the lab and confinn that they can perform “EPA’s ultrasonication extraction asbestos method for carpet using TEM, the Millette method.”^ Use this phrase to describe the test when talking to the lab. The EPA method number is EPA-600/J-93/167, but most lab receptionists will not recognize the method by just this number.

Ask the lab for ins tractions for sending the sample. Labs will refuse your samples if you do not follow their instructions exactly. Carpet and fabric samples should be enclosed in double Ziplock® sealed baggies.

Laboratories will require that you fill out their Chain of Custody form. Often you can download the chain of custody form from their web site, or they will fax it to you. You must indicate on 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 cannot be cleaned easily with a vacuum cleaner might be a good choice. A strip along a floorboard under 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, under 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.

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