EMSL Asbestos Testing

EMSL Analytical Laboratory Infrastructure and Accreditations

EMSL Analytical, Inc. stands as one of the largest and most prestigious commercial environmental testing laboratory networks in North America, operating over fifty state-of-the-art testing facilities across the United States and Canada. Established in 1981, EMSL provides comprehensive analytical testing for industrial hygienists, environmental consultants, commercial engineering firms, regulatory agencies, and private homeowners seeking definitive identification of hazardous asbestos materials.

A distinguishing hallmark of EMSL asbestos testing is its unwavering commitment to third-party quality assurance and formal regulatory accreditations. EMSL testing facilities maintain active accreditation under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under Lab Code 101048 and associated regional codes. Furthermore, EMSL laboratories hold certifications through the American Industrial Hygiene Association Laboratory Accreditation Programs (AIHA-LAP, LLC), state departments of environmental protection, and international standard ISO/IEC 17025.

Advanced Microscopy Methodologies: PLM, PCM, and TEM

To evaluate diverse environmental matrices, EMSL deploys an advanced suite of optical and electron microscopy methodologies tailored to specific regulatory requirements. For standard bulk building materials—such as textured drywall coatings, acoustic plaster, pipe insulation, and vinyl flooring—EMSL utilizes Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) coupled with dispersion staining techniques in accordance with EPA Method 600/R-93/116. PLM allows certified petrographers to identify optical crystal properties, determining the exact mineralogical fiber type and volumetric percentage.

When analyzing non-friable organically bound (NOB) materials like asphaltic roofing felts, floor tile mastics, and vinyl composite tiles where fibers are tightly bound in complex petroleum matrices, standard optical microscopy can yield false negatives. In these scenarios, EMSL performs gravimetric matrix reduction followed by high-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). TEM utilizes high-energy electron beams operating at magnifications exceeding twenty-thousand times, paired with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) to positively identify sub-microscopic fibers that escape optical detection.

EMSL Test Kits, Chain of Custody, and Laboratory Certificates

For homeowners and small contractors seeking direct access to certified laboratory testing, EMSL offers consumer-friendly DIY asbestos test kits. These kits supply sterile collection bags, disposable sampling tools, nitrile gloves, prepaid shipping mailers, and detailed field sampling instructions. Clients collect suspect material samples, complete the required chain of custody form detailing sample locations and turnaround requirements, and dispatch the package directly to their nearest EMSL regional laboratory.

Upon completion of testing, EMSL issues a comprehensive, legally defensible Certificate of Analysis (COA) accessible through their secure online LabConnect portal. The final report explicitly documents sample condition upon receipt, analytical preparation methods, percentage and classification of asbestos detected (e.g., 5% Chrysotile, None Detected), non-asbestos matrix components (such as cellulose or fiberglass), and analyst quality control verification signatures, empowering clients to make informed, code-compliant remediation decisions.

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