MACS Lab, Inc. Frequently Asked Questions

When to Test

• Q: I’ve been told that I need to test my linoleum/carpet/ceiling for asbestos before having it removed. Why?
  A: Any contractor must follow OSHA rules. OSHA requires that no employee be exposed to asbestos. If the home was built prior to 1980, there is a high likelihood that the materials used contain asbestos. Linoleum (trade name) or Resilient Sheet Flooring, Carpet Glue, Floor Tile, Floor Tile Mastic, "Pop Corn" Ceiling material, Wallboard/Joint Compound, etc. are all products that typically contain asbestos.
  
  
• Q: If I have already removed my linoleum/carpet/ceiling, should I have it tested for asbestos anyways?
  A: It is a little late at this point. If it was removed by a non-asbestos removal professional, you may have created an air quality issue for you and those workers. To bring a little piece of mind, you might want to test. If it is positive, then it would make sense to have a professional asbestos abatement company come in and clean the area.
  
  
• Q: I have black mold growing on my wall(s). How dangerous is it?
  A: That depends on you or others in the home. Each of us react differently to molds. All molds are allergens. Some molds have mycotoxins that are harmful. You should consult with a doctor trained in this area.
  
  
• Q: I think I have mold, should I be worried?
  A: Yes, it may be a sign that water is making its way into the building envelope either from a faulty roof, water intrusion, condensation or a damaged pipe.

How to Take Samples

• Q: How should I take an asbestos sample from popcorn ceiling?
  A: Try to take a number of samples (5) in multiple locations. The ceiling material is hand-mixed and thus you could miss the detection of asbestos in "this spot" when it might be one inch over in "that spot". Place the samples into a zip lock food storage bag and send it to MACS Lab with a check for $35.00 per sample. Include your name and address, telephone number and email or fax number.
  
  
• Q: How many samples should I take?
  A: The more the samples, the greater chance to prove or disprove the presence of asbestos. We suggest at least three (3) samples.
  
  

Interpreting Your Results

• Q: I just received my lead report. What does it mean?
  A: Consult with the Department of Health Services. However, the HUD Guidelines "action levels" for Paint are 0.5% by weight = 5,000 ppm by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AA) or 1.0 mg/cm2 by XRF.
  Soils: EPA TSCA Section 403 Standard - January 2001 are > 400 ppm Hazardous in play areas. > 1,200 ppm Bare soil yard wide average. California Title 17 "Lead Contaminated Soil" - ≥ 400 - 1000 ppm Hazardous in bare soil in areas where children play. > 1,000 ppm Hazardous in all other areas.
  Water: 15 ppb: US EPA "Action Level"
  
  
• Q: I just received my mold report. What does it mean?
  A: If you brought in a sample to find out if the sample had mold, then either the sample did with a specific identification of what mold there was or it didn’t. If you we did an air sample, you compare the indoor samples to the outdoor samples. If the indoor samples are lower than the outdoor samples, at that moment in time, the air quality was okay. If the indoor samples were higher than the outdoors at that moment in time, the air quality was degraded.
  
  
• Q: My asbestos report says that I have 3% Chrysotile. What percentage is the limit so that I don’t have to contact an abatement contractor?
  A: The OSHA limit is 0.1%, therefore you need trained workers with protective equipment to remove the asbestos. The percentage of asbestos is really not significant - it is still asbestos-containing at 1% or 90% - either way it is dangerous.
  
  
• Q: Is it true that tile and vinyl sheet flooring materials (except linoleum) can’t be analyzed by PLM for asbestos?
  A: Yes, this is true because the fiber size is too small. You can use PLM for screening tile samples. If PLM testing finds the tile to be positive then that result is acceptable. If PLM finds the results to be negative then have it tested by qualitative transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
• Q: Can you compare PCM and TEM results?
  A: No. MACS Lab has a Technical Paper on this subject in the Client Services area.
  
  
• Q: How does MACS Lab handle composite dust (wipe) samples?
  A: We are required to separate each dust (wipe) sample composite into single samples and each single sample must be analyzed as a separate single sample. The report must also have for each sub-sample in the composite the remarks "This sample was contaminated by other samples as it was sent in the same container with other samples" printed on the report. This is required by the AIHA. We are an accredited AIHA Lead laboratory and must follow their rules and regulations. Each wipe sample in a composite is analyzed separately and we charge for each wipe in a composite sample as a separate single sample. The best advice here is don’t make composite samples. The problem is a technical one regarding different matrix materials being in each of the subset samples and how that different matrix never gets tested in the QC process.
  
  

MACS Lab Procedures

• Q: Does MACS Lab accept credit cards for commercial accounts?
  A: Yes, MACS Lab accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express at the time of service for all commercial and retail services.
  
  
• Q: Can I get verbal results from your lab?
  A: As a matter of quality business practice you should never ask for verbal results from any lab except in an emergency. Your reputation is on the line with your client. Misunderstandings are easy when in a hurry and when someone jots something down on a scrap of paper. We tape record verbal results for your safety. The best policy is to ask for a facsimile to be sent to you.
  
  
• Q: Can MACS Lab perform a lead analysis that I can compare to the results I get with my XRF instrument?
  A: Yes, just order the results in mg per square centimeter. Take a sample of known area (1 or 2 square inches) and tell us what that area is either in inches or using the metric system.
  
  
• Q: Why won’t MACS Lab guarantee turnaround times?
  A: MACS Lab will try very hard to meet your turnaround times, however, quality is our most important product. We will tell you ahead of time if we can’t meet your requested turnaround time. Your reputation and name are on the report that you give your clients. It is imperative that you get quality and accurate results from a quality laboratory to maintain your reputation. We have a well earned reputation for quality and we will not let our reputation or your reputation suffer for some sales gimmick. There are times when rapid analysis is critical and we will respect that need and do all we can to support you. If you are in such a position please let us know and we will go the extra mile.