Asbestos Testing in Virginia

If you are planning to remodel, do not assume the work is risk-free. EPA’s homeowner guidance says remodeling can disturb building materials and that a trained and accredited asbestos professional should take samples for analysis. EPA also says taking samples yourself is not recommended, because sampling done incorrectly can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone.

Federal Asbestos NESHAP rules require a thorough inspection where demolition or renovation will occur at a facility — structures, installations, and buildings, excluding residential buildings that have four or fewer dwelling units. Any demolition or renovation at an institutional, commercial, or industrial building is regulated; at a minimum the thorough inspection requirement applies. The owner or operator must notify the delegated agency (often the state) before any demolition, and before renovations of buildings that contain a threshold amount of regulated asbestos-containing material. NESHAP does not require regulated ACM to be removed before demolition or renovation if the total amount to be removed or disturbed is less than 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet. Houses demolished as part of a commercial or public project are not treated as exempt. Your state can be stricter than this federal floor — read the state notes below.

EPA says that if building materials in your home are not damaged and will not be disturbed, you do not need to have the home tested for asbestos. Material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed (by remodeling, for example) should be left alone.

For an owner-occupied home, start with EPA’s rule of thumb: leave undamaged material alone, and use a trained and accredited professional if you will remodel or if material is more than slightly damaged (Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos). State licensing, inspection, and notification rules can still apply when a contractor does the work or when you renovate — check your state page.

Rental housing and apartments are often treated more strictly than an owner-occupied single-family home. Landlords, property managers, and contractors more often need a licensed inspector and a licensed abatement contractor. OSHA regulates asbestos in construction and general industry; Maine DEP notes that OSHA rules apply whenever an employer/employee relationship exists. Read your state’s rental and multi-unit notes on this page.

EPA’s Asbestos NESHAP page states that any demolition or renovation operation at an institutional, commercial, or industrial building is regulated, and that at a minimum the thorough inspection requirement applies. Schools have extra duties under AHERA: inspections and response actions must be done by professionals trained under EPA’s Model Accreditation Plan, and school bulk samples and TEM clearance air samples must go to a NIST NVLAP-accredited laboratory. EPA also recommends accredited labs for non-school buildings.

EPA says asbestos-containing materials that are not damaged or disturbed are not likely to pose a health risk, and that the best step is usually to leave material alone if it is in good condition. Do leave undamaged asbestos-containing materials alone, and take every precaution to avoid damaging them.

If you suspect a material contains asbestos, EPA says not to touch it. Look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions, or water damage. Damaged material may release fibers, especially if it is hit, rubbed, handled, or exposed to vibration or airflow. If the material is more than slightly damaged, or you are going to make changes that might disturb it, repair or removal by a trained and accredited asbestos professional is needed.

EPA’s homeowner don’ts include: don’t dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos; don’t saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in asbestos-containing materials; and don’t use abrasive pads or a power stripper on flooring that may contain asbestos.