How big does an asbestos sample need to be?

A piece of about 2–3 cm is usually enough. What matters is that the sample represents the material and contains the layers you want tested.

Can I take the asbestos sample myself?

You can take a single material sample yourself if you follow the instructions. Avoid creating dust and wear an FFP3 respirator and protective gloves.

When will I get the result?

The report is emailed on the same day the sample arrives at the laboratory and is logged as received.

Do I need a separate sample for each material?

Yes, if you want separate results. Pack each material and each layer that is to be analysed on its own as a separate sample.

Material sample

An asbestos sample shows whether a material contains asbestos

Take a small sample of the suspect material, pack it tightly and send it with your national postal service to the Semlab laboratory in Finland. On the day the sample arrives, you receive a clear report in English by email.

Order an asbestos test Sampling instructions

Service

€49.99

incl. VAT per sample

Same day

result as soon as the sample arrives

JEOL SEM-EDS

analysis with the electron microscope

In short

An asbestos sample is a small piece of the building material to be examined.

The sample must represent exactly the layer of material whose asbestos content you want to know. Different materials and layers are sent as separate samples. The laboratory identifies any asbestos fibres with the JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope.

The sample’s journey

How to get certainty about your material

1. Order online

Choose the number of samples and pay by card. You receive an order number and posting instructions.

2. Take the sample

Remove a small, representative piece of the material without creating dust.

3. Send the sample

Pack the sample tightly and send it as a letter or small parcel to our laboratory in Espoo, Finland.

4. Receive the report

We analyse the sample and email you the result on the day it arrives.

Sampling

One representative sample per material

The sample is usually about 2–3 cm in size. Include all layers of the material if they are to be analysed together. If you need separate results, for example for the floor covering and the adhesive, send them as separate samples.

Wear an FFP3 respirator and gloves
Include every layer you want tested
Do not drill or sand
Put each sample in its own bag

Posting

Send the sample by post

Write on the bag where the sample was taken and what material it is. Send the sample with your national postal service as a letter or small parcel to Semlab / Innosus Oy, Ukkohauentie 11–13 A, 02170 Espoo, FINLAND. You pay the postage, and delivery usually takes a few working days. Check your postal service’s rules for sending small items abroad. Only send firmly bound materials, such as tiles, tile adhesive, filler, asbestos cement or floor covering – never dusty insulation.

Result

Report on the day the sample arrives

As soon as the sample has been logged as received, it is analysed with the JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope in accordance with ISO 22262-1. The report states clearly whether asbestos was found in the sample and which type of asbestos it is.

Result: asbestos / no asbestos
Fibre type identified
PDF report in English by email
Documentation for each order

Official information

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)

Frequently asked questions

Questions about asbestos samples

Next steps with your asbestos sample

Order a test Sampling instructions Packing the sample Sending the sample Prices Asbestos in tile adhesive Asbestos in pipe insulation Asbestos in vinyl flooring

Ready to send your asbestos sample?

Order online in a few minutes and pay by card. Then send the sample by post to our laboratory.

Order an asbestos test See prices