Asbestos Testing & Consulting Services

Asbestos is a known carcinogen whose fibers can cause serious respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos was commonly used in thousands of construction materials from the 1940s to the 1970s as an effective and cost-efficient thermal and acoustic insulator for boilers, pipes, attics, siding, flooring and more. Since 1973, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted a number of restrictions and management requirements for asbestos containing materials in order to reduce human exposure.

Asbestos fibers only pose a major risk when the material has been damaged over time or when a major demolition or renovation has the potential to disturb the asbestos containing materials. Our team of experienced industrial hygiene professionals help property owners comply with EPA guidelines and reduce their liability exposure through solutions that identify, manage, and mitigate the risks associated with asbestos.

Asbestos Air Monitoring Solutions

Intertek-PSI is a distinguished leader in construction assurance and environmental safety with comprehensive services tailored to ensure workplace safety and regulatory compliance.

Understanding Asbestos Air Monitoring

Asbestos air monitoring is a critical procedure that captures airborne particles by drawing air through a specialized filter. This filter, once saturated with particles, is meticulously examined under a microscope to quantify the fiber concentration.

After the filter sample has been prepared, a known fraction of the filtered deposit undergoes analysis under a phase contrast microscope. Through this method, we determine the precise number of fibers, calculating the fiber concentration in fibers /ml.

Our Asbestos Air Monitoring Solutions

Background Air Sampling

Before any activity that might disturb asbestos fibers begins, we strategically place sampling devices to determine pre-existing fiber levels.

Leak Testing

Leak testing determines the effectiveness of leak prevention methods and ensures that no respirable fibers escape into the air. This is particularly important when areas adjacent to the enclosure remain in use.

Personal Exposure Monitoring

Personal exposure monitoring prioritizes the safety of personnel, such as asbestos inspectors or asbestos removal workers by monitoring the effectiveness of asbestos removal methods and the suitability of the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn during the process.

Clearance Site Certification for Reoccupation

Before reoccupying any premises, air monitoring is imperative to obtain a site clearance and reoccupation certificate.

Reassurance Sampling
In specific scenarios, we conduct reassurance sampling to verify that the residual asbestos fiber concentrations remain within safe limits, such as after the removal of an enclosure.

Throughout a building's lifecycle, maintaining an optimal system performance while ensuring a clean, compliant, and health-centric indoor environment is paramount. Allow Intertek-PSI to serve as your trusted partner, and you’ll benefit from our extensive range of proactive indoor air quality monitoring services and our ability to address indoor air quality issues promptly and efficiently in occupied structures.

Asbestos Surveying Services

Intertek-PSI offers a comprehensive range of asbestos surveying services in the US to accurately map the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on your property and develop the required assessments and action plans.

Asbestos surveys are conducted to identify the location and extent of ACMs on site. These surveys encompass risk and material assessments, and based on the findings, an asbestos management plan can be formulated to track and manage the ACMs effectively.

Unaccredited companies have been providing asbestos surveys to the market, leading to subpar results. This lack of precision can translate to significant costs and severe health risks in the long run. Choosing trusted, accredited experts is pivotal to your facility’s success and the health and safety of building occupants. Intertek-PSI's team, consisting of highly trained, certified asbestos surveyors, delivers comprehensive management, refurbishment, or demolition surveys tailored to your specific needs.

Depending on the required survey type, the level of invasiveness varies:

Management Surveys are primarily non-intrusive, aiming to locate and assess the condition of any ACMs that might be disturbed or damaged during standard occupancy.

Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys are fully intrusive and pinpoint all ACMs on site.

Post-survey, a management plan is devised to aid in managing the asbestos materials safely and minimizing the risk of asbestos exposure for building occupants, the general public, contractors and employees.

Asbestos Management Surveys

The goal of an asbestos management survey is to identify and evaluate the condition of any ACMs at risk of disturbance during regular occupancy or foreseeable maintenance tasks. While these surveys might involve minor intrusive actions, any disruption is minimized. They are crucial for establishing an initial asbestos register, which becomes the foundation for a management or action plan.

Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

These fully intrusive surveys aim to locate all asbestos within the entire building structure or site. In line with US safety regulations, all commercial buildings must undergo this survey before initiating any refurbishment or demolition work.

Management Plans

Once a management survey concludes and the register is complete, an asbestos management plan can be crafted. This plan serves as a comprehensive guide to manage, inspect, and test any potential asbestos safely, safeguarding occupants, the public, and workers potentially exposed to it.

• Tailored to individual needs, asbestos management plans may encompass:
• Compliance information concerning legislative requirements
• Identification and mapping of on-site asbestos-containing material hazards
• Risk assessment for detected ACMs
• Recommended control measures and guidance
• Management and continual monitoring requirements

Intertek-PSI's Industrial Hygiene Laboratory

Intertek-PSI's Industrial Hygiene Laboratory has been committed to providing our customers with outstanding quality, integrity, and support for over two decades. PSI holds national accreditations, including NVLAP and AIHA LAP, in addition to many state-specific accreditations, including NY and CA ELAP. With an experienced, qualified team and emphasis on superior quality, we are dedicated to providing reliable results and service.

Trust Intertek-PSI for meticulous asbestos surveying, ensuring safety, compliance, and peace of mind.