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Identifying Chrysotile and Other Forms of Asbestos to Protect Workers and the Public

Asbestos Testing Lab

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	6/16/2017
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Identifying Chrysotile and Other Forms of Asbestos to Protect Workers and the Public
Introduction	EMSL Analytical, Inc. offers testing services, sampling supplies and test kits to identify all types of asbestos to prevent exposure hazards.
Cinnaminson, NJ, June 16, 2017 Due to the fiber strength and heat resistance of asbestos, it was used extensively for over 100 years in a variety of building construction materials and a wide range of manufactured goods. Even today, it can still be found in some limited products. In the United States, the term “asbestos-containing material” means any material which contains more than 1% asbestos by weight. Regulatory agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognize six asbestos and asbestiform minerals. They include: Actinolite Amosite Anthophyllite Crocidolite Tremolite Chrysotile According to OSHA, approximately 95% of the asbestos encountered by abatement workers in the United States is chrysotile. Also known as white asbestos or serpentine asbestos, chrysotile was extensively mined in the past from a number of locations across the country. While some consider exposure to other forms of asbestos to be more dangerous than chrysotile, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have classified chrysotile, along with the other forms of asbestos, as known human carcinogens. “To protect the public and workers from exposure to asbestos, there are standards for asbestos in drinking water, schools, some consumer products and occupational exposures,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “At EMSL, we have offered asbestos testing services since 1981. Our laboratories, located across the United States and Canada, provide comprehensive asbestos testing services, all of the sampling supplies necessary and even test kits.” EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about chrysotile that can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go6oYuFg47Y. To learn more about EMSL’s asbestos testing or other environmental and indoor air quality (IAQ) services, please visit www.AsbestosTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. To access indoor environmental quality test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. About EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 40 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.