You Got This

Homeowners Welcome

 You can take your own samples and bring them in to our lab. We have detailed instructions on taking samples of all kinds of material (bulk, air, water), to help you DIY your job. Just click the button below for all the information you need. You got this. 

SUBMISSION FORMS

All Of Our Jobs Require Them
TEM/PCM/Silica Analysis
AHERA, NIOSH, XRD 
This is the form you need. 

FAQs

                                                                                                    Asbestos Testing FAQ


  1.  What Do I Need To Have Tested?
    1.  We can’t tell you what you need to have tested. We simply analyze the samples you bring us. You need to contact your local dump (Portland Metro, etc.), or your dropbox company to find out what, specifically, needs to be tested. The Oregon DEQ has a great page about this. 
  2.  Can I Take Samples Myself?
    1. You can if you're the owner-occupant of the building. In all other situations (including rental properties) you are legally required to have a professional asbestos survey done. The Oregon DEQ has more information on this.  We have instructions on taking dust, air, water, and bulk material on our site, as well as links with more detailed information. 
  3. Will you come take samples for me?
    1.  We are just an analytical lab. We don't take the samples, but we have detailed instructions on doing so. It’s pretty straightforward. You can hire a certified contractor to conduct an asbestos survey for you, if you'd rather. 
  4.   Can I Mail My Samples In? How?
    1.  Yes! You’re welcome to mail in your samples (in a sealed Ziploc bag), just be sure you follow the sampling instructions fully. Also be sure to include a fully filled out and signed chain of custody form . IMPORTANT: Please do not put your chain of custody form in the sealed baggie with your sample. It will be considered contaminated, and we won’t be able to use it.
    2. You can send a check with your sample(s) or we can call you and get payment when we receive your sample.
    3.  MOST IMPORTANT: Each sample must be in its own sealed airtight container. No exceptions. Ziploc baggies are perfect for this.
  5.  Where can I find your rates and turnaround times?
    1.  You can give us a call. All of our labs (we currently have three labs) perform different services.  ALSO, calling us will allow us to tell you which turnaround times are currently available.
    2.  Our turnaround times are available first come first served so it’s good to call ahead, especially when expected same day, or 24 hour turns.
  6.   Why do I need to fill out a Chain of Custody? Can't I just tell you what I want tested?
    1. This is a highly regulated industry which is why we use a legal form called a chain of custody, just like police use in tracking evidence. You’re legally transferring custody of your potentially hazardous material to use for analysis. Be thorough. Read over your chain before you send it or else you may get delayed over something as silly as a missing signature.
  7.  If my sample comes back positive for asbestos, what do I do?
    1. Here is a list of all the locations in Oregon which will take your asbestos containing materials.  Give them a call, or your dropbox company, and they'll tell you the next step. 
    2. If you need to hire an abatement contractor, Oregon DEQ has a list of all the certified abatement contractors in the state, posted here. 
  8. What if I mail in my samples without the chain?
    1. If you send samples without a chain of custody, or with an incomplete chain, we will set your samples aside and your turnaround time will not be valid until we have the complete, signed, chain of custody. We would call you and you'd need to scan, email, snail mail, etc ... a completed chain of custody form. Your turnaround time clock doesn't start until we have a complete chain of custody. 
  9. Your prices are “per sample” so does that mean that if I bring you 5 samples I pay 5x the price?
    1.  The prices are per sample so yes, 5 samples would be 5x the sample price for the turnaround time you select. We have a range of turnaround times available so if you have many samples, going for a longer turnaround time may save you some money.
  10. How will I receive my results?
    1. We will email your results to the email address(es) you list on the chain. Only the people listed on the chain of custody have access to your results. You can send them to whomever, but we can only discuss, or send, results to who is listed on the chain. 


                                                                          LEAD TESTING FAQ

We test for lead in water, bulk material, and surface (dust) wipes. We have posted instructions on how best to take samples of each material right here: http://www.labcor.net/lead-sampling-instructions.html. Please take the time to read the sampling instructions. It can make your life easier.

  1. I have a child care  facility and the State of Oregon says I need to have my water tested, and you will send me a lead testing kit. How do I order that?
    1. There is no lead testing kit needed, despite what the letter from the state says. All you need are clean plastic bottles (not glass). Regular disposable water bottles are perfectly fine. Just make sure the caps are tightly screwed. It’s fine. We’ve tested hundreds and hundreds of day care water samples, all in plastic water bottles.
  2. How much water do you need to test for lead?
    1. We need 100ml, so if you fill a water bottle about 1/3 of the way, that will be plenty. 
  3. Once I take the samples is there a time frame in which I need to get the samples to you?
    1. Yes, we need to receive your samples for testing within 10 days of the sample being taken.  If we don’t receive everything we need to test your sample (the sample itself, the completed and signed chain of custody form, and payment) within 10 days, we won’t be able to test it. Please make sure to include the date the sample was taken, on the chain of custody.
  4. What if I mail you a sample with no chain of custody? Can I just tell you what I want done?
    1. Nope. This is a highly regulated industry which is why we use a legal form called a chain of custody, just like police use in tracking evidence. You’re legally transferring custody of your potentially hazardous material to use for analysis. Be thorough. Read over your chain before you send it or else you may get delayed over something as silly as a missing signature, or by not choosing the turnaround time you want.
  5. What will my results look like? Is it just a yes or no, like a pregnancy test?
    1. It’s more complex than a pregnancy test, because it will provide the level (in parts per billion/million). It’s a proper accredited lab test, and as such needs to be presented in compliance with the accrediting body, so it may look intimidating, but the information is there. 😊
  6. What are the safe levels of lead? How they will appear on my results?
    1. For water: 15ppb is the actionable limit set by the EPA.  Learn more about lead re: child care facilities here, https://oregonearlylearning.com/lead-poisoning-prevention/
    2. For soil there are two levels:
      1. For Play Areas (kids): Under 400ppm (0.04%)  is below the actionable limit.
      2. For all other areas (non kid play areas): Under 1200ppm is below the actionable limit.
    3. For paint: Under 5000ppm (0.5%) is below the actionable limit.
 

O U R   S E R V I C E S

Analyses We Offer

Asbestos Testing
       AIR
        AHERA
        Modified EPA II (AHERA-like)
        EPA II: Yamate Level 2
        NIOSH 7402, TEM
        NIOSH 7400, PCM
        OSHA Hybrid: Hybrid PCM/TEM
        ISO 10312
        ISO 13794

       DUST / BULK   
        ASTM D-6480-05: Surface Wipe
        ASTM D-5755-03: Microvac Dust
        ELAP 198.4, Bulk Semi-Quantitative 
EPA/600/R-93/116:
          Qualitative
            Semi-Quantitative
            Quantitative
                EPA/600/R-93/116: Bulk, PLM
        JIS A 1481: Qualitative Bulk: XRD
        JIS A 1481: Quantitative Bulk: XRD
            NIOSH 9000: Bulk: XRD
VERMICULITE
EPA 600-R-04-004: 
  WATER
        EPA 100.1: Non-potable Water 
        EPA 100.2: Drinking Water
Lead or Copper Testing
Paint, Wipes, Wastewater
FLAAS - EPA 7000B
Drinking Water
GFAAS - EPA 200.9
Air Filter
FLAA - NIOSH 7082 
GFAAS - NIOSH 7105
Wastewater
GFAAS - EPA 7010
LabCor Portland. 4321 SW Corbett St Suite A, Portland OR 97239 (503) 224-5055
​Analytical Labs in Portland, Eugene and Seattle.