Approved Laboratories Testing For Asbestos
Local education administrators
who plan to have bulk samples analyzed for asbestos should be aware that both
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Health Department
have requirements which affect laboratory selection.
Pursuant to 40 CFR Part 763, approved methods of analysis must be
used to detect asbestos in bulk samples, and laboratories which do
the analysis will have to be approved by the National Bureau of Standards
(NBS). However, until the NBS program is in place, EPA's "Interim Method for the Determination of Asbestos
in Bulk Insulation Samples" shall be used. This means that only laboratories
which are registered in the quality assurance program of the
Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina have EPA approval. Administrators
should be sure to get a laboratory's proof of enrollment and its certification
number. A list of participating
laboratories may be requested by calling (202) 554-1404.
In addition, Section 502 of the New York State Public Health Law sets forth requirements
concerning laboratory examinations. Any political subdivision, including school
districts, who contracts for laboratory examinations is required to use a laboratory
approved by the Health Department for such examinations. The New York State Health
Department's Environmental Laboratory Approved Program (ELAP) approves laboratories
to do solid and hazardous waste, and air and emissions sample analysis pertaining
to asbestos.
Currently, a listing of laboratories who do bulk sample analysis is available
by requesting "Commercial Laboratories with New York State Approval to
Perform Environmental Analysis" from:
ELAP
Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research
New York State Department of Health
Albany, New York 12201