FAQ - Frequently asked questions about asbestos analysis at CRB

With the exception of demolition, renovation and maintenance (ASI), work involving asbestos is prohibited. This is stipulated in:

• EU Chemicals Regulation - (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH)

German regulations are:

• Regulation on Prohibitions and Restrictions on the Placing on the Market and on the Supply of Certain Substances, Mixtures and Products under the Chemicals Act (Chemicals Prohibition Ordinance - ChemVerbotsV)
• Regulation on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV)

For the permissible activities with asbestos, among other things, the following regulations apply

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

protective measures and regulations for action.

The "Guideline for Asbestos Exploration in Preparation for Work in and on Older Buildings" (GER) 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 here, particularly for private individuals and small craft enterprises.

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:
  Since 1992 we have been working as an independent testing laboratory in the field of material analysis with a focus on asbestos analysis. 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 exchanges 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.

You can also find this information in our video tutorial "How can I recognize a good asbestos laboratory?".

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.

You can find more information in our video tutorial "Which materials does CRB test for asbestos?".

If you are a commercial customer or an 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 can 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.

You can find a short video on the ordering process here.

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.

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

You can also find help on this in our short video tutorial.

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

We offer a variety of analytical methods for the analysis of material, dust, air and liquid samples for asbestos or artificial mineral fibers.

If you are unable to find the material you are looking for in our private customer store, our short video will help you.

you are welcome to contact us and we will help you further. Ideally, you should get in touch with us via the contact form on our website, by email to labor@crb-gmbh.de or by phone on +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.

You can also find help on this in our short video tutorial.

When taking samples, primary care should be taken to minimize the release of potentially asbestos-containing dust. Cross-contamination, through multiple use of the same tool on different materials, should also be avoided. Mixing can be counteracted by thorough cleaning of the tools.

More information on sampling and sample shipment.

In Germany the collection of material samples for asbestos or mineral wool analysis is described in:

• VDI 3866 Part 1:2020-01 - Draft - Determination of asbestos in technical products - Collection and preparation of samples and.
• VDI 6202 Part 3:2019-10 - Draft - Polluted structural and technical installations - Asbestos - Investigation and evaluation.

As with all other ASI work (demolition, renovation or maintenance work), care must be taken during sampling to minimize, or better exclude, the release of potentially asbestos-containing dusts.

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 removal point
• the use of an adhesive tape
• the use of a vacuum cleaner approved for asbestos class H
• ready-made putty from a tube to seal the removal sites
• if necessary, respiratory protection, half mask P2 or better

Suitable tools for taking the samples are:

• cutting tools such as knife, scalpel, scissors, side cutters
• drill, forceps, tweezers

The required sample quantities for an analysis depend on the type and homogeneity of the materials. In addition, the previous field of application plays a role.

• For 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 already be sufficient for an analysis.
• In the case of materials with a two-dimensional structure (e.g. tile adhesives, jointing and filling compounds), an area of 10 cm² or more must be sampled.
• In the case of a heterogeneous material (such as screed, plaster or filler compounds), 250 cm³ may be required in some cases for a reliable analysis result.

Find more information in our short video tutorial or a written version here.

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

• VDI 3877 Part 1:2011-09 - Measurement of indoor pollution - Measurement of fiber dusts deposited on surfaces - Sampling and analysis (SEM/EDX).

Suitable sampling media:

• Adhesive tape: acrylic-based adhesive tape (transparent) or carbon adhesive 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 even as possible. When sampling rough building material surfaces (e.g. concrete), pores or blowholes should be left out as far as possible.

Procedure for the (semi-quantitative) examination according to VDI 3877

• An area of at least 1 cm² of the sampling medium must be covered.
• For the examination of a dust deposit, the sampling medium is pressed with the adhesive side onto the area to be sampled and then carefully removed again. The medium may only be pressed once onto the area to be sampled in order to ensure clear assignment to the sampling point. Pushing movements must be avoided when removing the contact sample.
• The adhesive tape is then transferred to the transport container. Transparent round containers with a diameter of approx. 70 mm and a height of at least 10 mm have proved suitable for this purpose. The adhesive tape is taped to the bottom of the can after bending both ends so that the sampled area faces upwards. The tape is then pressed down so far that there is no contact with the subsequently placed lid.

Procedure for the (qualitative) examination according to VDI 3866, Sheet 5

• Sampling with commercially available adhesive tape (Tesafilm or similar)
• Area up to 20 cm² can be covered, also multiple sampling of neighboring dust deposits with an adhesive tape is possible.
• Since the adhesive tape is incinerated in the laboratory with all adhering dust particles and the (mineral) ash is examined as a scatter preparation, the adhesive tape can be glued together for transport.

Our video tutorials on taking and sending samples or our step-by-step instructions also offer help.

Please pack the asbestos sample taken airtight. A bag with a zipper closure is sufficient for this purpose. Each sample must be individually labeled with a unique, 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 ordering process.

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

Shipping address:

CRB Analyse Service GmbH
Bahnhofsstraße 14
37181 Hardegsen
Germany

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

CRB is not accredited to sample air and therefore generally does not perform air measurements on site. However, we do examine charged air filters in our laboratory. We would be happy to help you find a competent and accredited sampler in your area. Please contact us by phone: +49 (0) 5505 // 940 98-0.

According to VDI 3492, air sampling and its measurement is a suitable method for determining or ruling out contamination of indoor air. Since 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 test according to VDI 3866 or 3877.

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

For example, there are materials (e.g. fiber cement, PVC flooring) that can be analyzed relatively easily and inexpensively by fracture surface examinations. Other material types 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 the private customer by the hand here and have stored the suitable analysis procedure for each type of material. No matter whether you place an order via the  order page with case studies for the analysis of asbestos, our asbestos house with various asbestos and mineral fiber findings or directly via our private customer store with material search.
• For commercial customers we have an overview with all offered types of examinations (GER). Here you will find information on material and preparation types as well as the applicable guidelines and detection limits of the individual methods.

We offer you a coordinated range of analytical methods for solids analysis. If you prefer a certain method or have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via

phone at +49 (0) 5505 // 940 98-0 or

via email at labor@crb-analyse.de. 

Detailed information on this topic can be found on a special page on the analysis of artificial mineral fibers (MMMF) on our homepage. Here in brief:

• If the installation date of the mineral wool is after 30.05.2000, these have undergone appropriate biocompatibility tests according to EU or German law and are considered New Mineral Wool in the sense of TRGS 521 and therefore harmless.
  As a rule, there should be an indication of this in the form, e.g. the RAL mineral wool quality mark.
• Old mineral wool with installation date before 1996 or those without known production date
  Here we first check whether the mineral wool contains respirable fibers, so-called WHO fibers. If this is not the case, the material is safe.
  If WHO fibers are present, the carcinogenicity index KI according to valid German law provides information about a possible carcinogenic effect of the mineral wool.
• Special case mineral wool between 1996 and 30.5.2000
  See information on our page about mineral wool.

Since we, as an accredited laboratory, are not allowed to give advice on how to proceed, we recommend consulting a building expert or engineering office in case of a positive mineral wool result.

With a few exceptions, work on materials containing asbestos by non-expert persons is prohibited.

In any case, a building expert or an engineering office should be called in to carry out a further investigation and to 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 a less meaningful concentration indication in mass percent, or in an indication reflecting the hazard potential of a material, e.g. the number of fibers per mg of material.

The absence of asbestos in a material or the undercutting of a limit value can therefore not be tested in the current legal situation. Therefore, in test reports you will only ever find findings with the statement asbestos detected (containing asbestos) or asbestos not detected.

This is what it says in VDI 3866 Part 5, Appendix B, page 32 for the examination of material samples:

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

The finding "Asbestos not detected" should always be considered in the context of the selected test method and the associated detection sensitivity - see the following FAQ: What do the detection limits stated in the test report mean?

Find more information in our video tutorials.

In an asbestos analysis, there are two possible results: "Containing asbestos: yes" with a classification into quantity classes or "Asbestos not detected". Detection limits for a procedure always become relevant only in the case of negative test results, i.e. the finding: "Asbestos not detected."

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

• "Simple" materials such as fiber cement board, lightweight board, cushion vinyl, cardboard, fabric, cord, felt, PVC flooring, tamping compound, mineral wool insulation board can be examined on fractured surfaces or as a target preparation.
  According to VDI 3866, sheet 5, the detection limit of such an examination is 1 mass-% asbestos.
• More complex materials, those with expected inhomogeneities or where asbestos is bound into a matrix that cannot be analyzed in this way (e.g. magnesite screed, cement screed, wood screed, leveling compound, grout, mortar, sealant, bitumen, roofing felt, mastic asphalt, diatomaceous earth, window putty, talc, soapstone, paint, linoleum) are analyzed as a scatter preparation after hot ashing, grinding and, if necessary, acid treatment, which significantly improves the visibility of asbestos and the detection sensitivity (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.

Find more information in our video tutorials.

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

As a test laboratory accredited according to DIN EN ISO 17025, we prepare court-approved test reports based on common standards and guidelines. The elements contained in the report are specified and defined by the respective guideline or by DIN EN ISO 17025.
With all our competence and experience in asbestos analysis, we cannot offer opinions and interpretations on remediation and maintenance without appropriate expertise and knowledge of local conditions. Here we can - if required - only explain the individual elements of the test certificate and their meaning in case of ambiguity.

In any case, we recommend consulting a building expert or engineering firm.
On request, we can put you in touch with a competent contact person 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 analysis result via e-mail.

If other processing times are requested (only for "normal" material, dust and air filter samples), we will charge the following surcharges on all work performed:

• 24-hour service for sample receipt until 09:00 +50 %.
• Immediate service for samples received before 09:00 +75 %.

As a matter of principle, we do not send confirmations of receipt. For tracking purposes you can use the so-called tracking services of the delivery services. 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 together with the invoice by mail.
More information about our prices and conditions can be found here.

tutorial-general-information-on-asbestostutorial-general-information-on-asbestostutorial-general-information-on-asbestostutorial-general-information-on-asbestostutorial-general-information-on-asbestosWe offer you a coordinated spectrum of analytical methods for solids analysis. If you prefer a certain method or have open questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to advise you by telephone and together we will find the right analytical method for your samples. Please feel free to contact us at: +49 (0) 5505 // 940 98-0.

Asbestos is usually not visible to the naked eye. Only an analysis of the material can provide unambiguous certainty. A clue, however, can be the time period in which the respective material was processed, because especially from 1930 to 1993 asbestos was increasingly used as a building material.

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 house here.

Short video tutorial "How do I detect asbestos?"

If asbestos fibers are released, they can trigger 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 makes asbestos so insidious and education all the more important. Depending on concentration and personal conditions, asbestos can cause massive physical damage even with brief exposure.

Short video tutorial "Why is asbestos dangerous?"

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 release of fibers can occur if materials containing asbestos are porous or not properly processed.

Therefore, the following applies prior to planned construction measures: First have the materials analyzed, in case of doubt consult a building expert and then start renovation or disposal work.

Asbestos was used in a variety of ways and was one of the main materials used in well over 3,000 different products. The peak of asbestos use in the EU was between the years 1960 and 1990, until the ban took place in 1993. The ban on asbestos concerns the manufacture, marketing and use of the substance. Some countries still use asbestos as a building material.

See our short video tutorial "When and where was asbestos installed?" 

Exactly where asbestos is found in your home cannot be answered in a blanket manner. Corrugated roofs and night storage heaters containing asbestos are familiar to many. But there are many more possible asbestos hiding places in older buildings.

To name just a few examples: Old boilers or boilers in basements are unfortunately often insulated with lightweight boards containing asbestos. The critical thing here is that these insulations are often weakly bonded asbestos products. Aging and external influences, such as vibrations or mechanical damage, can release large quantities of asbestos fibers into the indoor 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, stovetops, waffle irons, curling irons and irons may also be insulated with asbestos board.

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 locations at home - of course, only the asbestos test can provide certainty. Get smart before you start remodeling!

See our short video tutorial "When and where was asbestos installed?" 

Due to its heat resistance and fire resistance, asbestos has been used in numerous materials and has also been installed in many roofs (built between 1930 and 1993). Most commonly, asbestos is found in roofing tiles, synthetic slate panels, eternit panels, and corrugated fiber cement panels.

If you find the mark "AF" (for "asbestos-free") on eternit panels, you can rule out asbestos exposure. However, this marking has not been standardized on all panels.
Many old roofs are heavily contaminated with asbestos, and you should definitely have a professional analysis performed before any construction work is done. You can find out more about asbestos analysis here.

See our short video tutorial "Which roofs may contain asbestos?" 

Asbestos roofs must never be cleaned with a hard water jet, 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 fiber release is too great.

In any case, cleaning by:

• low-pressure or high-pressure cleaners
• brushing (e.g. with a wire brush)
• abrasion

Further details on handling asbestos are set out in the Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances 519 (TRGS 519) and in the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV).

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

See our short video tutorial "Can I clean my asbestos roof?" 

A good exclusion criterion is the year of construction of the bathroom. No asbestos was installed 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 adhesives
• grout
• floor coverings
• leveling compounds under the flooring
• leveling compounds on walls and ceilings
• insulation of heating pipes
• insulation behind radiators and under PVC floors

Learn more about asbestos in the bathroom here or have a look at our video tutorials on "Asbestos in bathrooms, floors & night storage heaters".

There are many flooring materials, such as cushion vinyl and floor flex panels, that were manufactured with asbestos. For a detailed insight, we recommend taking a look at our infographic.

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

Floor flex panels, mentioned earlier, have also been widely used. Here, the asbestos is found in a tightly bound form, but can still be released undetected if the boards are not removed by a professional. There are other flooring materials that were also made with asbestos.

Boost your knowledge with our asbestos house infographic or have a look at our video tutorials on "Asbestos in bathrooms, floors & night storage heaters".

If your night storage furnace is from the 1960s-80s, then it may be contaminated with asbestos. See if you can find information (manufacturer, serial number, year of manufacture, etc.) about your furnace and match it with the asbestos-containing devices listed here (GER).

What to do if your appliance shows up on the list?
First of all, no need to be too concerned. Fortunately, night storage heaters hold very little potential to release the harmful asbestos fibers into the air - as long as you don't unscrew or repair the heaters on your own. You should carefully consider how to handle your old night storage heaters and, ideally, replace the appliance with a new one or work with an expert to retrofit it.

For more information, visit our page on asbestos analysis of night storage heaters or have a look at our video tutorials on "Asbestos in bathrooms, floors & night storage heaters".

Independent removal of asbestos is a criminal offense in the EU and highly dangerous to your health. 

A certificate of competence (e.g. according to TRGS 519 in Germany) gives the authority to remove and dispose of asbestos properly. 

Asbestos is declared as hazardous waste and cannot be disposed of in a landfill until it has been properly packaged.
In the EU unauthorized disposal of asbestos is punishable by a fine and - in serious cases - imprisonment of up to five years.

Video tutorials: "Cover up asbestos? No, dispose of it!"

No. Covering or sealing over asbestos is a prohibited activity under the Hazardous Materials Ordinance.

Covering over only postpones the problem and carries the additional risk that later work in the same place may unknowingly release asbestos and cause damage undetected.

Video tutorials: "Cover up asbestos? No, dispose of it!"

Direct customer contact on site is rather rare with orders from all over the world. Therefore, we would like to invite you to take a virtual look behind the scenes of our work and meet our well-established team.

Our customers must always be able to rely on our analyses. To ensure this, we installed a quality management system as early as the mid-1990s, which is consistently implemented and lived. It is the basis of our accreditation according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, which also meets the requirements of DIN EN ISO 9001. For the external control of our test procedures, we regularly participate in interlaboratory tests and laboratory comparisons and are in constant professional exchange with clients and partner laboratories.

Our tests are carried out in accordance with German and international guidelines and standards and are performed using elaborate and precise methods such as X-ray fluorescence analysis or X-ray microanalysis.

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