PROFESSIONAL ASBESTOS TEST KIT

The United States Department of Health and Human Services has determined that asbestos is a known carcinogen. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there are asbestos containing materials in most of the nation’s 107,000 schools and over 733,000 public and commercials buildings.

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the environment that is made up of long, thin fibers that look similar to fiberglass. Because of its strengthening, heat and sound proofing capability, manufacturers have used asbestos to make many different products including, pipe insulation, ceiling and floor tile, paints, caulking, fire resistant clothing, and brake pads.

HOW DO YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH ASBESTOS?
Although the EPA has established a very broad ban on the use of asbestos, it is still a health hazard in many homes, offices and schools. Asbestos fibers come from the breakdown of man-made products such as insulation, paints, caulking, table pads, draperies, ceiling and floor tiles, roof shingles, cement, hair dryers and many other products. As asbestos becomes friable (chipped, cracked, crumbly, powdery, flaky or decayed), the fibers can be released into the air and then inhaled.

WHAT CAN ASBESTOS DO TO YOU?
The United States Department of Health and Human Services has determined that asbestos is a known carcinogen. When inhaled, even in small amounts, asbestos fibers can cause a range of severe diseases including lung cancer, asbestosis (an irreversible scarring of the lungs similar to emphysema), and mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings which causes tumors which grow, spread rapidly and are 100% fatal). Exposure to asbestos may also increase the risk of other cancers such as those of the larynx (throat) and of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach).

HOW DO YOU FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE AN ASBESTOS PROBLEM?
To find out if asbestos is a problem in your home or office, you must test. The PRO-LAB Professional Asbestos Test Kit is an NVLAP approved laboratory test that will accurately and reliably analyze your collected bulk sample for asbestos contamination to 1% content by weight, providing a professional lab report within one week of our receipt of your test sample(s).

COMPLETE DIRECTIONS INSIDE
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
CONTENTS
One (1) sample collection bag
Gloves
Pre-paid postage envelope
Information form

*NVLAP analysis of bulk asbestos samples
using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS PLEASE CALL (800) 427-0550
Or visit us on the Internet at: www.prolabinc.com

“Home Safety Test Kits”
WESTON, FLORIDA, 33326
MADE IN U.S.A.
© PRO-LAB, INC.. 2003

If you spend time in a home, office, or school, that was built or remodeled between the years 1900 and 1978, it is highly possible that you are being exposed to asbestos, a cancer causing building material. Cancer development from asbestos exposure usually takes between 15 and 30 years. Because of this time lapse, and the nature of asbestos, which was used widely during manufacturing in the 1970’s, an estimated 20,000 people will die each year for the next 30 years from asbestos exposure.

IMPORTANT NOTE: YOU MUST READ THIS BEFORE YOU CONTINUE WARNING: Asbestos poses a health hazard only if fibers are released into the air. If asbestos has been damaged, so that it is getting into the air you breath, it should be either removed or contained. NEVER ATTEMPT TO TEAR OUT ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIAL YOURSELF; the danger of exposure during removal is much greater than the low level of exposure you face from undisturbed but damaged material. Always be cautious around suspected asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos has been used in the manufacture of such building products as popcorn ceiling material, vinyl and linoleum flooring and associated mastics, pipe and water tank insulation, acoustic ceiling tile, exterior siding and stucco, wallboard (including joint compound and tape), wall and cei ling plaster, insulation behind wall heaters, window caulking, etc. In short, any building material that is not glass, wood, steel, yellow or pink fiberglass could contain asbestos and should not be disturbed until it has been tested. The biggest danger comes from fria ble asbestos building materials that have become damaged. Look for areas where asbestos has become water-damaged, dented, corroded, blistered, or otherwise damaged in a way likely to release fibers into the air. If you find damaged asbestos, DO NOT DISTURB IT. PRO-LAB does not intend for the following to be used as a guide or as instructions by anyone, whether they be trained and licensed professionals or not, for the disturbance of asbestos-containing materials. The primary way that asbestos causes dam- age is by breathing in airborne fibers that are often too small to see. Proper respiratory protection should be used whenever i t is likely that airborne asbestos fibers are present.

COLLECTION OF SAMPLE NOTE: The use of proper respiratory protection is advisable. When applicable, a plastic drop cloth should also be used. 1. Locate the sample location and suspected material.
2. Put on the enclosed plastic gloves to avoid contact between your skin and the sample.
3. Completely wet the sample location using a spray bottle with a soap and water solution (one teaspoon of soap per quart of water). The sample location should be kept wet throughout the sampling procedure to prevent the release of airborne fibers.
4. Collect the sample using a razor knife, chisel or another tool capable of securing a sample of the entire matrix. (example: the underlying scratch coat beneath popcorn ceiling, pipe insulation and mastic on seams, vinyl flooring including any additional layers of vinyl and/or mastic.)
5. Place the sample in one of the enclosed sample bags and seal.
6. Completely fill out the information form. (analysis can not be conducted unless you submit all the information requested.)

STANDARD LAB RESULTS
The PRO-LAB Professional Asbestos Kit requires a $20 lab fee in order to analyze the sample. Place the sample bags in the enclosed pre-paid postage envelope along with the information form, and a check, mon ey order (made payable to PRO-LAB ) or a credit card voucher for $20 per sample submitted (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX or Discover only). Mail immediately within 24 hours of the collection of the sample(s). Within two weeks after PRO-LAB has received your sample(s), we will send you an easy to read evaluation indicating the exact content of asbestos in your sample.

EXPRESS FAX SERVICE
Express Service is available for an additional $15 per sample, or a total of $35 per sample. In order to use the express service, you must send the sample(s) , the information form and proper payment to PRO-LAB using an overnight shipping company such as Federal Express, Airborne Express or UPS. Send the samples to PRO-LAB, 1675 N. Commerce Parkway, Suite 100, Weston, FL 33326. (Express sample can only be received Monday - Friday). Within 72 hours of our receipt, you will receive your faxed results. PRO-LAB® 1675 N. Commerce Parkway, Suite 100 - Weston, FL 33326

PRO-LAB catalog includes Test Kits for Mold, Radon Gas, Water Quality, Asbestos, Lead, Carbon Monoxide, and Bacteria.