County measure adds convenience to the important task of testing for legacy asbestos.

In a bid to enhance public health and safety, Columbia County has introduced a new drop box for asbestos and lead testing at the St. Helens Transfer Station. This service is part of a broader network, including six drop box locations and three physical labs across the Portland, Vancouver, and Salem areas. The drop box offers various features such as multiple turnaround options for test results, ranging from same-day to five business days, affordability with tests starting at $31.50 per sample, and pretest convenience to avoid contamination. Additional benefits include free pick-up, efficient communication through email for results and invoices, and professional surveys conducted by AHERA Certified Inspectors. Furthermore, as reported, the testing lab is AIHA Certified for Asbestos PLM, ensuring accuracy and reliability. This initiative aims to provide accessible, fast, and affordable testing services to ensure safe environments for residents.

The Ubiquitous Nature of Asbestos

Asbestos, commonly associated with industrial jobs, was actually used in almost all buildings constructed before the mid-1980s, including homes, offices, and hotels. This insidious material was prevalent in a variety of building components, from roof shingles to insulation in attics and basements. Despite asbestos bans, many old buildings still contain asbestos products, posing health risks to inhabitants and regular workers, especially since asbestos fibers are tasteless, odorless, and microscopic.

Identifying the presence of asbestos requires professional testing by licensed experts. If asbestos is detected, it is crucial to engage a certified asbestos abatement company for safe removal. Improper handling during removal can lead to airborne fibers, posing health risks and potential legal liabilities for building owners and tenants. Therefore, knowing the presence of asbestos and managing it correctly is essential for safety and compliance.

Why Is Asbestos Air Quality Testing So Crucial?

Asbestos air quality testing is vital to the prevention of diseases linked to asbestos exposure, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestos can become airborne from natural deposits or when materials containing asbestos are disturbed, such as during demolition activities; these microscopic fibers and dust can be inhaled, embedding in the lungs and potentially leading to severe health issues over time.

Testing is critical because asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye and cannot be detected by smell. Specialized microscopes, such as optical or electron microscopes, are required to identify asbestos in the air. Testing is essential in buildings – especially before occupancy post-renovation – to ensure safety and compliance with regulations like the EPA’s Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP); most importantly, testing prevents long-term health risks from exposure.

Well Established Asbestos Testing Methods

The primary methods for detecting asbestos include:

Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM)

This optical microscope technique is used for measuring asbestos levels in air and soil. It’s widely used due to its low cost and rapid results but cannot differentiate between asbestos and non-asbestos fibers.

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

This method uses an electron microscope capable of extremely high magnification. It’s particularly effective for identifying asbestos fibers in air and soil and is mandated by regulations like those from AHERA for certifying schools and workplaces as asbestos-free.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

SEM offers higher resolution than TEM and PCM, making it better at detecting finer asbestos fibers. It’s more expensive and time-consuming but provides more detailed analysis.

Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)

PLM is used for both qualitative and quantitative analysis but is especially effective for qualitative assessments. It is particularly suitable for soil samples and is crucial for EPA’s Superfund sites where asbestos detection is necessary for remediation.

Agencies like the EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, and AHERA all play critical roles in asbestos detection and regulation. Despite the effectiveness of these testing methods, it’s important to remember that no level of asbestos exposure is considered safe.

How Much Does Asbestos Testing Typically Cost?

Asbestos testing costs vary depending on the type and scope of testing. Here’s a breakdown:

Survey and inspection: Costs between $150 and $900, which involves initial surveying and inspection to identify potential asbestos-containing materials

Dust sample test: Ranges from $150 to $200, testing dust samples for asbestos fibers

Physical sample test: Costs between $300 and $900, involving more detailed analysis of physical material samples

Asbestos air test: The most comprehensive, costing between $400 and $2,000, measures asbestos concentration in the air

The PCM method is the least expensive, providing quick on-site results. Other methods like TEM, which are often mandated by government regulations for public buildings like schools, are more expensive due to the need for specialized lab analysis and longer result times.

For a 1500-2000 square foot house, total asbestos testing costs could range from approximately $1,100 to $3,700, covering survey, air testing, and final inspection if asbestos is found. This comprehensive testing is crucial to ensure safety and compliance, especially when selling a property, to avoid health risks and legal liabilities.

The Threat of Scammers in the Asbestos Testing Sector

While it’s a critical environmental and health safety practice, the asbestos testing sector is not immune to the activities of scammers – unscrupulous actors who exploit the fears and regulatory requirements associated with asbestos.

Scams in the asbestos testing sector often involve fraudulent claims about the presence of asbestos materials to induce property owners into unnecessary and overpriced remediation services. Some disreputable firms might provide false positives in their reports or exaggerate the extent of contamination to secure costly abatement contracts.

Methods of Deception

These scammers may use several deceptive tactics:

Falsifying qualifications: Some may claim to have credentials they do not possess or may operate without the proper certification required for asbestos inspection and removal

Manipulating test results: By manipulating sample collection or results, scammers can claim the presence of asbestos where none exists, pressuring owners into expensive remediation services

High-pressure sales tactics: Property owners might be rushed into immediate decisions with scare tactics about health risks or legal implications of non-compliance with safety regulations

Impact on Stakeholders

The actions of these scammers can have devastating impacts:

Financial burden: Property owners face unnecessary high costs for supposed testing and remediation services

Health risks: Incorrect or dishonest testing can leave actual asbestos undetected, posing long-term health risks to occupants

Regulatory non-compliance: Misleading reports can result in non-compliance with environmental regulations, potentially leading to legal troubles for property owners

Safeguards Against Scams

To protect against such scams, it is crucial for property owners and stakeholders to be vigilant:

Verify credentials: Always check the qualifications and licensing of any asbestos testing or remediation firm. Reputable firms are typically certified under state and federal environmental protection standards

Seek second opinions: If asbestos is reported, consider getting a second opinion from another certified inspector

Understand the process: Being informed about how asbestos testing and removal should be conducted can help property owners identify suspicious practices

Report suspicious activity: Report any fraudulent activities to local authorities or regulatory bodies to help prevent further scams

The $6 Million Dollar Scam

The Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) in Libby, Montana, was found guilty of filing 337 false claims for asbestos-related diseases, allowing patients to improperly receive Medicare and other benefits. This case was brought to light by BNSF Railway, which led to a federal case where CARD violated the False Claims Act; as a result, the clinic faces nearly $6 million in penalties.

Concerned About the Presence of Asbestos?

If you are concerned about the presence of asbestos in your home or workplace, it is essential to act promptly to minimize potential health risks. Start by contacting a certified asbestos testing professional who can safely conduct a thorough inspection and testing of your property. If asbestos is detected, do not attempt to remove it yourself; instead, hire a qualified asbestos abatement company to handle the removal and disposal safely and legally. Regular monitoring and professional management of any asbestos-containing materials can help ensure your environment remains safe and compliant with health regulations. For more information or to arrange a test, consider reaching out to local environmental health agencies or trusted professionals in your area.