Tutorials: Analysis & Report

1. When is a material considered asbestos-free?

Not an easy question, because unlike virtually all other pollutants, there are no limit values for asbestos (with the exception of air measurements) that can be used to determine whether a material is completely asbestos-free. Limit values do not exist either in the form of an uninformative concentration figure in percent by mass or in a figure reflecting the hazard potential of a material, e.g. the number of fibers per mg of material.

It is therefore not possible to check whether a material is free of asbestos or falls below a limit value in the current legal situation. This is why you will only ever find findings in test reports with the statement asbestos detected (asbestos-containing) or asbestos not detected.

VDI 3866 Sheet 5, Appendix B, page 32 for the examination of material samples:

• If asbestos-containing structures (e.g. fibers, fiber bundles) are detected for the first time, the examination can be aborted ("asbestos-containing: yes").
• Otherwise, the examination must be continued over the entire required filter area. If no asbestos-containing structures are detected, the result is: "Asbestos not detected."
  The finding "Asbestos not detected" should always be considered in connection with the selected examination method and the associated detection sensitivity - see question "What do the detection limits stated in the test report mean?" below.

2. What do the detection limits in the asbestos test report mean?

sampling-shipping-pricesThere are two possible results for an asbestos analysis: "Contains asbestos: yes" with a division into quantity classes or "Asbestos not detected". Detection limits for a method are only relevant for negative test results, i.e. the result: "Asbestos not detected."

Depending on the type of sample material, its homogeneity and the expected asbestos concentration, different preparation techniques and test methods are used to test material samples. This results in different detection limits:

• "Simple" materials such as fiber cement boards, lightweight boards, cushion vinyl, cardboard, fabric, cord, felt, PVC floor coverings, tamping compound, mineral wool insulation boards can be tested on fracture surfaces or as a target preparation.
  According to VDI 3866, sheet 5, the detection limit of such an analysis is 1 mass % asbestos.
• More complex materials, those with expected inhomogeneities or where asbestos is embedded in a matrix that cannot be analyzed in this way (e.g. Magnesite screed, cement screed, wood screed, leveling compound, joint compound, mortar, sealing compound, bitumen, roofing felt, mastic asphalt, diatomaceous earth, window putty, talcum, soapstone, paint, linoleum) are analyzed after hot ashing, grinding and, if necessary, acid treatment as a scattering preparation, which significantly improves the visibility of asbestos and the sensitivity of detection (0.1 mass % asbestos or better).
• Technical products (e.g. fillers, plasters, tile adhesives, i.e. so-called SPF materials, paints, coatings) with expected asbestos contents < 1 mass % undergo an even more complex preparation by grinding, hot ashing, acid treatment, suspension/filtration, whereby the detection sensitivity can be reduced to 0.001 mass % or even better.

3. How long does it take until I receive the results of my asbestos analysis?

If you have selected the standard processing time, you can expect your analysis result within a few working days after receipt of the sample in our laboratory. We will send you the test result by e-mail.

If other processing times are required (only for "normal" material, dust and air filter samples), we charge the following surcharges on all work carried out:

• 24-hour service for samples received by 09:00 a.m. +50%
  Immediate processing for samples received by 09:00 a.m. +75%. You can find more information on our prices and conditions in our price lists.

We do not send any confirmations of receipt. You can use the tracking services of the delivery services to track your shipment. After the sample has been analyzed, we will send you a preliminary test report by e-mail or fax.

The original test report will follow by post together with the invoice.