Asbestos is a mineral fiber. It can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are
several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them
and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.
Common products that might have contained asbestos in the past, and conditions which may release fibers,
include:
- Steam pipes, boilers, and furnace ducts insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape
- Resilient floor tiles (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, and
adhesives used for installing floor tile. Sanding tiles can release fibers. So may scraping or sanding
the backing of sheet flooring during removal.
- Cement sheet, millboard, and paper used as insulation around furnaces and wood burning stoves.
Repairing or removing appliances may release asbestos fibers. So may cutting, tearing, sanding,
drilling or sawing insulation.
- Door gaskets in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers
during use.
- Soundproofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings. Loose, crumbly, or water-
damaged material may release fibers as will sanding, drilling or scraping the material.
- Patching and joint compounds for walls and ceilings, and textured paints. Sanding, scraping, or
drilling these surfaces may release asbestos.
- Asbestos cement roofing, shingles, and siding. These products are not likely to release asbestos
fibers unless sawed, drilled or cut.
- Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces. Other older household products such
as fireproof gloves, stove-top pads, ironing board covers, and certain hairdryers.
INSPECTION SERVICES
Lafser & Associates Personnel:
- Are EPA Trained and fully-qualified in Asbestos survey and sampling techniques in accordance with
the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) guidelines.
- Maintain certified inspector licensures with the State of Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
- Are accredited under the EPA’s Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
- Utilize independent EPA and NIOSH approved methods for air and bulk asbestos testing.
- Utilize NVLAP accredited laboratories for Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) test methodology to
obtain results for suspect asbestos containing materials.
- Utilize and maintain strong working relationships with reputable abatement companies who maintain
certification as asbestos contractors under the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Air Pollution
Control Program.
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