FAQ - Frequently asked questions about asbestos analysis at CRB

With the exception of demolition, renovation and maintenance work (ASI work), other work with asbestos is prohibited. This is laid down in:

• EU Chemicals Regulation - (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH)
• Regulation on prohibitions and restrictions on the marketing and supply of certain substances, mixtures and articles in accordance with the Chemicals Act (Chemicals Prohibition Regulation - ChemVerbotsV)
• Hazardous Substances Regulation (GefStoffV)

Protective measures and regulations for permitted activities involving asbestos are 
described in:

• the Hazardous Substances Regulation (GefStoffV)
• TRGS 519 - Asbestos: Demolition, renovation or maintenance work
• the asbestos guidelines of the federal states 

The “Guideline for asbestos surveys in preparation for work in and on older buildings”, published by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) in 2020, provides important assistance, especially for private individuals and small craft businesses.

A good asbestos laboratory is characterized by various criteria, such as independence in the form of fact-based results, quality through a quality management system, and certified accreditation for maximum safety and quality.

• Independence:
  We have been working as an independent testing laboratory in the field of material analysis with a focus on asbestos analysis since 1992. There are no economic ties with our clients and we do not provide expert opinions. Our test results are neutral and fact-based.
• Quality:
  You should be able to rely on the results of your analysis. To ensure this, we have had a quality management system in place since the mid-1990s, which we consistently implement. Regular professional exchange with clients and partner laboratories, as well as our participation in laboratory comparisons and round robin tests, support our quality assurance.
• Accreditation:
  The accreditation of a laboratory guarantees you the highest quality and reliability of analysis results. Our accreditation certificate has certified our competence to carry out tests in various areas in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 since 1995. Find out more about our quality standards here.
   

From asphalt, mortar, and screed, to fiber cement, window putty, or felt, to stone powder, dust, or plaster – a wide variety of materials can be sent to CRB for testing for asbestos. For an analysis, simply select the material to be tested here in the material search of the online store for private customers.

Corporate customers please use this online portal for sample registration.
 

Asbestos analyses can be conveniently ordered via our online store.

Simply select the materials to be analyzed individually and name them appropriately. The appropriate analysis methods and prices will be assigned automatically. When sending samples, please designate the containers per sample identical to the samples registered online so that there is no confusion in the laboratory.

After sending your order, you will receive an e-mail with instructions for taking and sending samples. As soon as we receive the samples, our work begins.

There is a separate sample registration form for corporate customers, which can also be used to process larger orders quickly.
 

As a commercial customer or employee of a public authority, please use our sample registration for corporate customers. If you are a new customer, you can register here quickly and easily, receive your access data immediately, and register your samples in a self-explanatory process. If required, a short video tutorial will help you with this process. If you are an existing customer, simply log in with your access data.

As a private customer, we take you by the hand here: regardless of whether you place an order via the elaborately designed page with case studies for the analysis of asbestos, our asbestos house with various asbestos and mineral fiber sites or directly via our private customer store with material search, in each case you simplify and accelerate the ordering process and make it easier for us to transfer the data error-free into our laboratory information and management system.

In the material list, we have stored a function that also contains synonyms and alternative names for various materials.

Example: Glass wool

When typing into the search bar, our search function compares all stored synonyms in the background. Accordingly, the term “glass wool” is assigned to the existing material “artificial mineral fiber”, as glass wool is often used as a colloquial variant of KMF.

If you still cannot find a meaningful search result, please contact us by e-mail at labor@crb-gmbh.de.

We offer a variety of analytical methods for testing material, dust, air, and liquid samples for asbestos or man-made mineral fibers.

If you are unable to find the material you are looking for via our private customer store, you are welcome to contact us and we will help you further. Ideally, you should contact us via the contact form on our website, by e-mail to labor@crb-gmbh.de, or by telephone at +49 (0)5505 // 940 98-0.

We will be happy to advise you on the most suitable test method for your samples.

Please do not send any unannounced, unlabeled or poorly packaged samples to the laboratory, as we will not be able to clearly identify them and this will increase the workload and slow down the process. Poorly packaged samples also pose a risk to anyone who comes into contact with them.
 

The simplest asbestos analyses cost €74 and become more expensive depending on the complexity. As asbestos can be present in various forms and the analysis methods vary in complexity, we cannot give a general answer to this question.

In order to ensure price transparency, we have summarized the costs for our examination procedures and analysis methods for you in our price list.

When taking samples, care should primarily be taken to minimize the release of potentially asbestos-containing dust. Cross-contamination due to multiple use of the same tool with different materials should also be avoided. Thorough cleaning of the tools can counteract mixing.

More information on sampling and sample shipment

The collection of material samples for asbestos or mineral wool analysis is described in

• VDI 3866 Sheet 1:2020-01 – Draft – Determination of asbestos in technical products – Sampling and preparation of samples and
• VDI 6202 Sheet 3:2019-10 – Draft – Contaminated structural and technical installations – Asbestos – Investigation and assessment

As with all other ASI work (demolition, renovation or maintenance work), care must also be taken when taking samples to ensure that the release of potentially asbestos-containing dust is minimized, or better, excluded.

When taking samples, care must also be taken to avoid cross-contamination, e.g. by using tools only once or cleaning them after each use.

Suitable techniques and aids for this are, for example:

• the use of damp cloths, which may only be used once
  • Under no circumstances should a spray bottle with water be used to moisten the area around the sampling point
• the use of adhesive tape the
• use of a class H vacuum cleaner approved for asbestos
• ready-mixed filler from the tube to seal the sampling points
• if necessary respiratory protection, half mask P2 or better

Suitable tools for taking samples are:

• cutting tools such as knives, scalpels, scissors, side cutters
• drill, pliers, tweezers

The sample quantities required for an analysis depend on the type and homogeneity of the materials. The previous area of application also plays a role.

• In the case of a homogeneous material (such as fiber cement or PVC flooring), a sample volume of approx. 1 cm³ or a small area of approx. 1 cm² may be sufficient for an analysis.
• In the case of materials installed over a large area (e.g. tile adhesives, grouts and fillers), an area of 10 cm² or more should be taken.
• In the case of heterogeneous materials (such as screed, plaster or fillers), 250 cm³ may be required for a reliable analysis result.

More information on sampling and sample shipment can be found here.
 

The collection of dust samples for asbestos or mineral wool analysis is described in:

• VDI 3877 Sheet 1:2011-09 – Measurement of indoor airborne contaminants – Measurement of fiber dusts deposited on surfaces – Sampling and analysis (REM/EDX)

Suitable sampling media

• Adhesive tape: Acrylic-based adhesive tape (transparent) or carbon adhesion tape. Do not use fabric tape!
• Carbon pads (also known as conductive tabs), diameter: 13 mm or 25 mm

Requirements for the surface to be sampled

The surfaces to be sampled must be dry and as flat as possible. When sampling rough building material surfaces (e.g. concrete), pores or cavities should be avoided as far as possible.

Procedure for (semi-quantitative) testing in accordance with VDI 3877

• An area of at least 1 cm² of the sampling medium must be covered.
• To examine a dust deposit, the sampling medium is pressed with the adhesive side onto the area to be sampled and carefully removed from it. The medium may only be pressed once onto the area to be sampled in order to ensure a clear assignment to the sampling point. Sliding movements should be avoided when taking the contact sample.
• The adhesive tape is then transferred to the transport container. Transparent round cans with a diameter of approx. 70 mm and a height of at least 10 mm have proven to be suitable. The adhesive tape is stuck to the bottom of the can after bending the two ends so that the sampled area is facing upwards. The tape is then pressed down so far that there is no contact with the lid that is subsequently fitted.

Procedure for (qualitative) testing in accordance with VDI 3866, Sheet 5

• Sampling with commercially available adhesive tape (Sellotape or similar)
• Area up to 20 cm² can be covered, multiple sampling of neighboring dust deposits with adhesive tape is also possible.
• As the applied adhesive tape with all adhering dust particles is incinerated in the laboratory and the (mineral) ash is examined as a scattering preparation, the adhesive tape can be stuck together for transportation.
   

Please pack the removed asbestos sample in an airtight bag. A zip-lock bag is sufficient for this purpose. Each sample must be labeled individually with a clear, short sample designation. If you have ordered the analysis via the private customer store or the company portal, use the same designations that were specified in the order process.

Send us the samples together with the order letter in a padded envelope.

Shipping address:

CRB Analyse Service GmbH
Bahnhofsstraße 14
37181 Hardegsen
 

CRB is not accredited for air sampling and therefore does not carry out air measurements on site. However, we do test air filters in our laboratory. We will be happy to help you find a competent and accredited sampler in your area. Please contact us by telephone on: +49 (0)5505 // 940 98-0.

According to VDI 3492, air sampling and measurement is a suitable method for detecting or ruling out contamination of indoor air. As free asbestos fibers remain in suspension for a relatively long time and can be stirred up again and again, this test method is much more sensitive than, for example, a dust analysis according to VDI 3866 or 3877.

This question cannot be answered at first glance by the layman and often not even by the expert. Ultimately, this can only be decided in the laboratory by examination of the sample by one of our asbestos specialists.

There are materials (e.g. fiber cement, PVC flooring) that can be analyzed relatively easily and inexpensively using fracture surface tests. Other types of material are ashed and ground and analyzed as a scatter preparation (e.g. window putty, roofing felt) or, after even more complex sample preparation, as a suspension/filter preparation.

• We take private customers by the hand here and have the right analysis method for every type of material. Regardless of whether you place an order via the elaborately designed page with case studies for the analysis of asbestos, our asbestos house with various asbestos and mineral fiber sites or directly via our private customer store with material search.
• For commercial customers we provide an overview of all the types of analysis we offer. Here you will find information on material and preparation types as well as the applicable guidelines and detection limits of the individual methods. Are you unsure? Give us a call: +49 (0)5505 // 940 98-0

You can find detailed information on this topic on a special page on the analysis of artificial mineral fibres (AMF) on our homepage. Here in brief:

• If the installation date of the mineral wool is after 30.05.2000, it has undergone appropriate biocompatibility tests in accordance with EU or German law and is considered to be new mineral wool as defined by TRGS 521 and therefore harmless. As a rule, there should be a reference to this in form, e.g. the RAL mineral wool quality mark.
• Old mineral wool with an installation date before 1996 or without a known date of manufacture: Here we first check whether the mineral wool contains respirable fibers, so-called WHO fibers. If this is not the case, the material is harmless. If WHO fibers are present, the carcinogenicity index KI provides information on a possible carcinogenic effect of the mineral wool in accordance with current German law.
• Special case of mineral wool between 1996 and 30.5.2000: see information on our page about mineral wool

As an accredited laboratory, we are not permitted to provide advice on how to proceed. In the event of a positive mineral wool test result, we recommend consulting a building expert or engineering firm.

Further information can be found in the form of instructions for handling mineral wool insulation materials on the website of the BG Bau (Berufsgenossenschaft der Bauwirtschaft)

With a few exceptions, work on materials containing asbestos by unqualified persons is prohibited.

In any case, a building expert or engineering firm should be called in to carry out a further investigation and initiate suitable measures for remediation and repair.

Not an easy question, because unlike virtually all other pollutants, there are no limit values for asbestos (with the exception of air measurements) that can be used to determine whether a material is completely asbestos-free. Limit values do not exist either in the form of an uninformative concentration figure in percent by mass or in a figure reflecting the hazard potential of a material, e.g. the number of fibers per mg of material.

It is therefore not possible to check whether a material is free of asbestos or whether it falls below a limit value in the current legal situation. This is why you will only ever find findings in test reports with the statement asbestos detected (asbestos-containing) or asbestos not detected.

VDI 3866 Sheet 5, Appendix B, page 32 states this for the examination of material samples:

• At the first detection of asbestos-containing structures (e.g. fibers, fiber bundles), the examination can be aborted (finding “asbestos-containing: yes”).
• Otherwise, the examination must be continued over the entire required filter area. If no asbestos-containing structures are detected, the result is: “Asbestos not detected.”

The finding “Asbestos not detected” should always be considered in connection with the selected test method and the associated detection sensitivity – see FAQ: What do the detection limits stated in the test report mean?
 

There are two possible results for an asbestos analysis: “Contains asbestos: yes” with a division into quantity classes or “Asbestos not detected”. Detection limits for a procedure are only relevant for negative test results, i.e. the result: “Asbestos not detected.”

Depending on the type of sample material, its homogeneity, and the expected asbestos concentration, different preparation techniques and test methods are used to test material samples. This results in different detection limits:

• “Simple” materials such as fiber cement boards, lightweight building boards, cushion vinyl, cardboard, fabric, cord, felt, PVC floor coverings, stuffing compound, mineral wool insulation boards can be examined on fracture surfaces or as a target preparation. According to VDI 3866, Sheet 5, the detection limit of such an analysis is 1 mass % asbestos.
• More complex materials, those with expected inhomogeneities or where asbestos is embedded in a matrix that cannot be analyzed in this way (e.g. magnesite screed, cement screed, etc.) can be analyzed. Magnesite screed, cement screed, wood screed, leveling compound, joint compound, mortar, sealing compound, bitumen, roofing felt, mastic asphalt, diatomaceous earth, window putty, talcum, soapstone, paint, linoleum) are analyzed after hot ashing, grinding and, if necessary, acid treatment as a scattering preparation, which significantly improves the visibility of asbestos and the sensitivity of detection (0.1 mass % asbestos or better).
• Technical products (e.g. fillers, plasters, tile adhesives, i.e. so-called SPF materials, paints, coatings) with expected asbestos contents < 1 mass % undergo an even more complex preparation by grinding, hot ashing, acid treatment, suspension/filtration, whereby the detection sensitivity can be reduced to 0.001 mass % or even better.
   

No, unfortunately we are not allowed to do this for legal reasons!

As a DIN EN ISO 17025 accredited test laboratory, we prepare legally compliant test reports on the basis of common standards and guidelines. The elements contained in the report are specified and defined by the respective guideline or DIN EN ISO 17025.

Despite our expertise and experience in asbestos analysis, we cannot offer opinions and interpretations on remediation and maintenance without the relevant expertise and knowledge of local conditions. If necessary, we can only explain the individual elements of the test certificate and their meaning in case of uncertainty.

In any case, we recommend consulting a building expert or engineering office. On request, we can arrange competent contacts in your area.

If you have selected the standard processing time, you can expect your analysis result within a few working days after receipt of the sample in our laboratory. We will send you the test result by e-mail.

If other processing times are required (only for “normal” material, dust and air filter samples), we charge the following surcharges on all work carried out:

• 24-hour service for samples received by 09:00 +50 %
• Immediate processing for samples received by 09:00 +75 %. You can find more information on our prices and conditions here in our price list.

We do not send any confirmations of receipt. You can use the tracking services of the delivery services to track your shipment. After the sample has been analyzed, we will send you a preliminary test report by e-mail or fax.

The original test report will follow by post together with the invoice.
 

We offer you a coordinated range of analytical methods for solids analysis. If you prefer a particular method or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to advise you by telephone and work with you to find the right analysis method for your samples. Please contact us at: +49 (0)5505 // 940 98-0

Asbestos cannot usually be seen with the naked eye. Only an analysis of the material provides clear certainty. However, the time period in which the material in question was processed can be a clue, as asbestos was increasingly used as a building material between 1930 and 1993.

We strongly advise against smelling suspicious materials, as asbestos is odorless and the dangerous fibers can be inhaled! We provide information about typical asbestos hiding places in the home here.
 

If asbestos fibers are released, they can cause a disease of the respiratory tract and lungs (asbestosis). The fibers are not completely broken down by the body, but harden in the lungs and often lead to fibrosis or, in the worst case, even cancer decades after exposure to asbestos.

The gradual progression of this chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract is what makes asbestos so insidious and why it is so important to raise awareness. Depending on the concentration and personal conditions, asbestos can cause massive physical damage even after brief exposure.

Read more: https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/umwelt-haushalt/wohnen/asbest-gefaehrlich-und-immer-noch-aktuell-48383
 

The moment asbestos fibers are released and inhaled, there is a risk – similar to smoking – that they will cause long-term damage to the lungs and respiratory tract. This fiber release can occur if materials containing asbestos are porous or have not been processed properly.

The following therefore applies before planned construction work: First have the materials analyzed, consult a building expert if in doubt and then start renovation or disposal work.

Asbestos was used in many different ways and was one of the main materials used in well over 3,000 different products. The use of asbestos peaked between 1960 and 1990, until it was banned in 1993. The asbestos ban affects the manufacture, placing on the market and use of the substance.
 

There is no general answer as to where exactly asbestos can be found in your home. Many people are familiar with corrugated roofs and night storage heaters containing asbestos. But there are many more possible hiding places for asbestos in older buildings.

To name just a few examples: Old boilers or boilers in basements are unfortunately often insulated with lightweight panels containing asbestos. The critical point here is that these insulations are often weakly bound asbestos products. Ageing and external influences, such as vibrations or mechanical damage, can release large quantities of asbestos fibers into the room air.

Asbestos can also be found in walls: For example, in plaster and fillers, tile adhesives, paints, varnishes or switch and electrical insulation. Older electrical appliances such as toasters, hobs, waffle irons, curling irons and irons can also be insulated with asbestos cardboard.

In this infographic, we show you other typical asbestos hiding places. In addition to information on material properties and asbestos content, the infographic offers many sample images that can help you identify potential asbestos hiding places at home – of course, only an asbestos test can provide certainty. Find out before you renovate!
 

Due to its heat resistance and fire resistance, asbestos was used in numerous materials and was also used in many roofs (built between 1930 and 1993). Asbestos is most commonly found in roof tiles, artificial slate tiles, Eternit panels, and corrugated fiber cement panels.

If you find the “AF” mark (for “asbestos-free”) on Eternit panels, you can rule out asbestos exposure. However, this marking is not standardized on all panels.

Many old roofs are heavily contaminated with asbestos and you should always have a professional analysis carried out before any building work is carried out. You can find out more about asbestos analysis here.
 

Asbestos roofs must never be cleaned with a hard jet of water, as this releases asbestos fibers. Uncoated asbestos sheets must not be cleaned at all. Only coated asbestos sheets may be cleaned with unpressurized water.

We generally advise against cleaning asbestos roofs. This is because even coated roofs can become porous over the years and the risk of fibers being released is too great.

Cleaning with:

• Low-pressure or high-pressure cleaners
• Brushing (e.g. with a wire brush)
• sanding

Further details on handling asbestos can be found in the Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances 519 (TRGS 519) and in the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV).

Further information on asbestos roofs made of fiber cement can be found here.
 

A good exclusion criterion is the year of construction of the bathroom. No asbestos was used after 1993, but you should have older bathrooms analyzed before you actively start building.

These bathroom materials may contain asbestos:

• Insulating elements of bathtubs and showers
• Tile adhesive
• grouts
• floor coverings
• Leveling compounds under the floor covering
• Filling compounds on walls and ceilings
• Insulation of heating pipes
• Insulation behind radiators and under PVC floors

Find out more about asbestos in the bathroom here.
 

There are many floor coverings, such as Cushion vinyl and Floor Flex panels, that were made with asbestos. For a detailed insight, we recommend taking a look at our infographic.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s in particular, cushion vinyl was used, which was trendy at the time. This was a foamed plastic with a printed design and a felt-like, beige-grey cardboard that consisted of weakly bound asbestos and was therefore particularly dangerous. The asbestos fibers can easily come loose and get into the air or simply be carried away by getting caught on your shoes or those of your loved ones and spreading throughout the house.

The Floor Flex panels already mentioned have also been used in many cases. Here the asbestos is found in a firmly bound form, but can still be released undetected if the panels are not removed by a professional. There are other floor coverings that were also made with asbestos. Find out more with the help of our infographic!
 

If your night storage heater is from the 1960s-80s, it may be contaminated with asbestos. Check whether you can find information (manufacturer, serial number, year of manufacture, etc.) about your heater and compare it with the appliances containing asbestos listed here.

What to do if your appliance appears on the list? First of all: there is no cause for great concern. Fortunately, night storage heaters only have a very low potential to release harmful asbestos fibers into the air – as long as you do not unscrew or repair the heaters yourself. You should carefully consider how to deal with old night storage heaters and ideally replace the appliance with a new one or convert it together with an expert.

For more information, please visit our subpage on the asbestos analysis of night storage heaters.
 

Removing asbestos on your own is punishable by law and highly dangerous to your health. The certificate of competence in accordance with TRGS 519 authorizes you to remove and dispose of asbestos properly. Further information can be found at the municipal trade supervisory office or at the Gesamtverband Schadstoffsanierung.

Asbestos is declared as hazardous waste and can only be disposed of in a landfill once it has been properly packaged. Unauthorized disposal of asbestos is punishable by a fine and - in serious cases - a prison sentence of up to five years.
 

No. Covering or sealing asbestos is a prohibited activity under the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. Covering over only postpones the problem and carries the additional risk that asbestos is unknowingly released during subsequent work in the same place and can cause damage undetected.

You can find more information about the ban on covering over asbestos here.
 

Direct customer contact on site is rather rare with orders from all over the world. We would therefore like to invite you to take a virtual look behind the scenes of our work. We would like to introduce our experienced team here.

Our customers must always be able to rely on our analyses. To ensure this, we installed a quality management system back in the mid-1990s, which is consistently implemented and practiced. It is the basis for accreditation in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, which also meets the requirements of DIN EN ISO 9001. We regularly take part in round robin tests and laboratory comparisons for the external control of the test methods we use and are in constant professional contact with clients and partner laboratories. Our tests are carried out in accordance with German and international guidelines and standards and are performed using complex and precise methods such as X-ray fluorescence analysis or scanning electron microscopy/X-ray microanalysis.

In order to guarantee these standards and thus also to be able to issue analyses that are legally sound, the prices for our analyses are sometimes higher than those of other providers.