Replies

1. 
   RedfordHenry | Jul 02, 2007 04:47am | #1

   I believe the determination is made by x-ray diffraction methods (they bombard a powdered sample with a beam of x-rays and look at the way that the x-rays pass through the material).  It is not chemically reactive so I don't think that an "in-home' test is even possible (unless you happen to have an x-ray diffractometer in your kitchen). 

2. 
   BarryE | Jul 02, 2007 04:48am | #2

   what did you find?

   when was it put there?

   do a Google search there are all types of home tests. accuracy may be another matter

   
   

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   Edited 7/1/2007 9:49 pm by BarryE

1. 
   bigbossman | Jul 02, 2007 05:17pm | #5

   It looks like dirty white cotton and found it in the ceiling of the bathroom. There is 17" of the stuff before I hot the flat roof.  Wanted to take it all down and move ceiling up  higher but not if it is asbestos.

1. 
   willflysatellitesforfood | Jul 03, 2007 01:10am | #6

   Not aware of "home test kits", but the testing agencies are pretty cheap - cost $75 for us last year...

   Our ceiling tested positive - ~3% content, house was built in '70, pretty typical findings according to the lab...

   Prof abatement (in CA) is EXPENSIVE and, supposedly disruptive.  My buddy used to own a drywall biz and says he ran into it all the time.  People would freak if they knew the % of homes that contained asbestos...

   With his instruction, I removed it myself.  (CA law says the DIY'er can tackle it)  Remove everything from the room, isolate it with plastic/tape from the rest of the house, wear a mask/goggles, use a 2-gal garden sprayer to wet the ceiling 'til its dripping.  Let it soak in for a few min, then wet it again.  Using a 6 or 8" taping knife, scrape the stuff right into a lightweight trash can with a plastic liner by holding the can up to the scrapings.  Almost no dust and almost nothing on the floor.  Tie up the bags when full, sponge down every surface in the room, wrap up all the plastic, and dispose of "properly"...

   It's not a pleasant job, but the worst part was the humidity (did the job in the summer)...

   Seemed to work for me, but we'll know for sure in 30 years or so when I start developing a chronic shortness of breath...

2. 
   BarryE | Jul 03, 2007 02:05am | #7

   Do you have any idea of the age of that insulation? original to the house? added later?Sounds like could be loose fill fiberglass. Is it pretty dense? or fluffier when it's not packed down?Age of the insulation would tell you a bit

   Barry E-Remodeler

    

1. 
   bigbossman | Jul 03, 2007 04:22am | #9

   It packs down really easy but in the ceiling it is fluffy and dirty white.

    

3. 
   edlee | Jul 03, 2007 02:42am | #8

   It looks like dirty white cotton

   Rockwool

3. 
   WayneL5 | Jul 02, 2007 04:59am | #3

   Many local testing labs will do it.  Check the yellow pages and call a few.  You can drop off a sample (sealed in a labeled plastic bag) and they'll test it. 

4. 
   beejay | Jul 02, 2007 06:48am | #4

   Identification of asbestoes can also be made using a polarizing microscope.  It takes up less space on the kitchen counter that an Xray difractometer.

   BJ

   Gardening, cooking and woodworking in South'n Murlyn'