When it comes to toxic materials, detecting even the faintest hint of the substance is crucial to keeping you and your family safe. There are essentially two ways to test for these contaminants: by using a DIY kit or by hiring a professional.
Let’s compare the differences between these methods, break down how different toxins are identified, and see what’s at stake.
The Danger of DIY Testing
Say Paul wants to remodel his bathroom. But after his first few throws of the sledgehammer, he starts to wonder:
- Is that mold?
- Could there be asbestos in the walls?
- Does that paint have lead in it?
Wanting to get back to the project as quickly as possible, Paul heads down to Home Depot, grabs a DIY testing kit, swabs the suspicious area, then sends off the sample. A week later, he gets the results: no harmful materials detected.
But is that really true?
DIY tests are notorious for not accurately capturing dangerous materials within a home, business, or worksite. This happens for a few different reasons.
At-home kits only check one area.
Say Paul only collects samples from a corner of the bathroom. While there may not be any hazardous material in that specific area, there could be on the opposite side of the room. Testing conducted by professionals will include multiple samples taken throughout a home. The technician can also rely on their experience to test in places a normal homeowner might not think to check.
DIY tests can be mishandled or collected inaccurately.
Most homeowners aren’t experts in collecting dangerous toxins. This means they may not swab the area correctly, or they could invalidate the test by not storing it properly.
Additionally, when they’re gathering the sample, they may disturb the substance. If they’re testing for asbestos, for example, they may accidentally release contaminants into the air. For this reason, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using professionals for testing for toxins like asbestos.
Professionals will always use the proper equipment and techniques to collect samples and will prevent any contaminants from spreading further.
Professional testing is more sensitive.
Even small amounts of lead, mold, asbestos, or meth residue can lead to serious health complications, such as asthma attacks, infections, seizures, developmental problems in children, and cancer. DIY tests are not as refined as testing conducted by professionals and may miss smaller concentrations of a substance.
DIY tests often only analyze for one substance as well. A certified testing company, however, can test for multiple toxins at once.
How Do Professionals Test for Common Hazardous Materials?
Each hazardous material has its own testing protocol.
Mold
Mold inspections are often arranged after a homeowner spots a black or green blotch on a wall. Professional testing includes both a visual examination of the affected areas along with moisture and air testing, which help the testing crew determine how far the mold has spread.
Lead
Lead is often found in paint that was applied before 1978. If an owner suspects lead could be present, the certified technicians will use sensitive tools to detect the presence and determine the concentration of lead throughout the house or office.
Remains of Meth
Sometimes it’s obvious that a tenant or guest had built a meth lab; other times, it’s less straightforward. In either case, a thorough inspection will determine the level of the meth’s toxicity, the extent of the contamination, and whether the drug was produced on-site or off-site.
Asbestos
Professionals will often use a combination of different types of tests for asbestos. This includes air testing, which measures the concentration of microscopic asbestos fibers in the air, as well as taking samples from materials which could be contaminated. Since asbestos has no smell or discerning features, careful testing is the only way to conclusively determine if asbestos is present.
Trust Xtract Environmental for Your Testing Needs
Asbestos, mold, lead, and meth remnants can wreak havoc on your health and home. If you suspect you may have a hazardous material within your home, rental property, or office, contact our experienced team at Xtract Environmental Services today to conduct a thorough testing protocol.