Asbestos Testing Services

Cinnaminson, New Jersey, December 20, 2023

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that an asbestos abatement contractor agreed to pay a $74,500 penalty for violations of the Clean Air Act. The penalty comes from a project where the firm was hired to remove asbestos-containing roof shingles from a church in downtown Boise, Idaho. The roof shingles were removed using tools that shattered and crumbled the roof shingles in the process. 

EPA alleged that the company violated federal laws for asbestos under the Clean Air Act by:

• Allowing cracked and broken shingles to fall from the roof to the ground resulting in emissions of asbestos dust and debris  
• Not applying enough water to control dust and debris 
• Not marking a waste trailer with warning signs while it was being loaded 

In the EPA announcement of the settlement, the agency stated:

Asbestos is a hazardous air pollutant regulated by EPA to protect public health. Asbestos fibers are commonly found in building materials such as roofing shingles, floor tiles, and heat resistant fabrics. In general, exposure may occur when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged in some way to release particles and fibers into the air.

“Exposure to asbestos has been proven to cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “At EMSL Analytical, our asbestos testing laboratories are located across North America to help contractors, companies, property owners, property managers, real estate developers and environmental professionals test for asbestos. We also offer sampling supplies, personal protective equipment and a wide range of air sampling instruments. These services and resources help to protect against exposure risks and can be instrumental for keeping companies in compliance with asbestos regulations.”

To learn more asbestos or other environmental, industrial hygiene and material testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. For access to asbestos test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. 

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 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, VOCs, 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.