Asbestos Testing in Irvine, Orange County, CA
Guaranteed Property Inspections Certified Asbestos Testing in Irvine, Orange County, CA
Asbestos is a material that was commonly used for insulation purposes in homes and buildings built before the 1980s. This material can be extremely dangerous and is known to cause health conditions such as mesothelioma and other cancers.
If you live in an older home or own a business space built in the 1970s or earlier, there is a high chance that asbestos is present. It is very important to have your building tested for asbestos by a STATE CERTIFIED professional.
GP Inspections has provided mold, air quality, and asbestos inspection testing for homes and commercial properties in Southern California for over 20 years. You can rest assured you have a team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals on your side.
Our Asbestos Testing Services
GP Inspections offers asbestos testing to confirm whether or not this dangerous substance is present within the building’s structure. Asbestos is generally hidden behind drywall - and a visual inspection is not effective.
During asbestos testing, a team of specially trained experts will extract samples from suspected materials for testing.
Here’s what we do:
Sampling & Analytics
To ensure accurate results, our asbestos testing team collects numerous types of samples. There are various methods used to detect the presence of asbestos depending on the type of material.
You need an asbestos testing service that guarantees accurate, quick results and follows strict protocols for sample collection and analysis. Even the smallest trace amounts of asbestos could be dangerous.
Settled Dust & Bulk Samples
Bulk and settled dust samples are collected from building materials, such as:
- Adhesives
- Caulk and glazes
- Thermal insulation
- Roofing shingles
- Plaster
- Ceiling tiles
- Vinyl flooring
- Vermiculite (fertilizer)
These samples are carefully collected and labeled based on the location they were taken from. The laboratory uses Polarized Light Microscopy to reflect polarized light off of the minerals contained in asbestos.
Air Sampling
If materials containing asbestos are exposed during demolition or renovation, particles may escape into the air. Asbestos is known for causing diseases in the lungs and airways, and it is very dangerous to have even small amounts of it in the air.
Air samples are drawn into a vacuum-sealed cassette through a pump to collect for testing. The air flows through a special filter that collects asbestos particles, which are then tested at the laboratory with Phase Contrast Microscopes.
High Volume Pumps Versus Low Volume Pumps
Areas where low levels of asbestos fibers are expected require high volume pumps to create enough force for sample collection. Low volume pumps are used for personal samplings to determine exposure levels.
Benefits of Working with GPMI
Rigorous training and state licensing ensure that we take each sample correctly and meticulously. The safety of our Clients and their family is our number one priority.
Samples are always submitted to an unbiased 3rd party AIHA certified laboratory to ensure accuracy.
POST sampling phone consultations ARE PROVIDED FOR EACH CLIENT once samples have been received by the laboratory, to help THE client clearly understand what the findings are and what next steps are needed.
Get Peace of Mind with The Air You Breathe
Accredited Asbestos Testing Professionals
Training for asbestos professionals is required under the EPA Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP) to ensure all samples are carefully collected. Asbestos can become airborne and is dangerous if inhaled – inspectors must follow strict regulations to use protective equipment and collect samples safely.
All of our inspectors have passed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) Certification tests and are qualified by the state of California for asbestos work.
See our asbestos testing certifications:
AHERHA Certification of Asbestos Building Inspector
This certification indicates inspectors have a comprehensive knowledge of suspect asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings and state-of-the-art techniques to find, categorize, and assess their conditions and potential for disturbance.
Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor Certification
This certification indicates the inspector and supervisor has proven knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and California regulations that apply to asbestos work.
Frequently Asked Questions
An asbestos survey is required prior to any demolition or renovation of any structure no matter the year the structure was built. The only exception to the survey requirement is the renovation activity of residential single-unit dwellings (houses) in which less than 100 square feet of the surface area of intact (not damaged) material is removed or stripped. ACAC or Certified Site Surveillance Technician (CSST) is trained to be able to identify homogenous-suspect materials and can presume or assume the material is Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM).
People may be exposed to asbestos in their workplace, their communities, or their homes. If products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long time. Over time, these fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation, which can affect breathing and lead to serious health problems. Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. According to IARC, there is sufficient evidence that asbestos causes mesothelioma (a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen), and cancers of the lung and larynx. Mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer associated with asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure may also increase the risk of asbestosis, an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage.
It is our opinion that the assumed ACBM (Asbestos Containing Building Material) not to be touched! Most asbestos building material in residential properties is considered friable material, meaning that it can be crushed and turned to dust with simple hand pressure. Doing so can release millions of asbestos fibers into the breathing air which can be inhaled by the occupants of the dwelling. Remember, asbestos does not have a smell nor can we feel these microfibers enter our nose or mouth. Asbestos inhalation exposure is the leading cause of Mesothelioma, cancers, and diseases. Most of these cancers have a latency period of approximately 30-40 years, meaning if an occupant is exposed to excessive asbestos fibers symptoms do not normally show up for 40 years after exposures.
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Set Up an Asbestos Testing Appointment Today!
Don’t delay with getting your home or business tested for asbestos. Contact our team today to schedule an inspection for your home or business in the Southern California area.
