Contact an EPA-approved contractor who is trained and licensed in handling asbestos to analyze the suspected particles, as well as filing the necessary paperwork required by the EPA. If you were to collect the samples yourself, you'd still have to give the samples to an EPA-certified laboratory for analysis, and give them the protective gear you wore during the collection for proper disposal.  The EPA has provided a list of certified contractors by state at http://www2.epa.gov/asbestos/state-asbestos-contacts. Federal law does not require asbestos testing done in single-family, detached homes to be conducted by an accredited professional, although some individual states require it.  If you're interested in completing an asbestos professional training program, contact your state or local health department or regional EPA office for more information. Since the act of testing for asbestos can disturb the material and potentially create a hazard, you should take a few precautions to ensure everyone's safety before the certified contractor conducts the test. Prepare the building as follows:  Stop any air conditioning, fans, or ventilation systems that could circulate asbestos in the air. Plan to close off the area; don't let anyone in or out of the room being sampled during the collection. If the testing is being done in a home, it might be prudent to have everyone leave the house at the time of the testing. When you hire an EPA-certified contractor to come to your house to test for asbestos, a certain protocol will be followed to maximize safety. Anyone in the room at the time of testing should put on protective clothing and gear, including protective gloves, boots, and clothes which can be disposed of after collecting samples, and a face mask including a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. The contractor will probably use the following testing method:  Plastic sheeting will be laid sheeting below the area where samples will be taken and secured with tape. The area to be tested will be sprayed with water to keep loose fibers from getting in the air. A tool is used to cut into the substance to be tested to get a sample of fibers. A small sample of the material which might be or contain asbestos is placed in a sealable container to be sent to a lab for testing. The area where the sample was taken is patched with plastic sheet, drywall, or tape to prevent suspected fibers from spreading. Protective gear clothing contaminated by the material is placed in a sealed container to be disposed of properly. The material sample should be sent to an asbestos analysis lab accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) at the National Institute of Standards and technology (NIST). A list of laboratories is available at http://www.nist.gov/. If the sample tests positive for asbestos, you'll need to decide whether to repair the area or remove the materials that contain asbestos from the property.
استعن بمقاول لإجراء الفحص. استعد لفحص المنطقة. تفهم إجراءات الفحص. انتظر ظهور نتائج الفحص.