Question 1

How much does an asbestos analysis cost?

Accepted Answer

An asbestos analysis costs €49.99 incl. VAT per sample. The price includes a full laboratory analysis with the SEM electron microscope, identification of all asbestos types and a report by email.

Question 2

How do I order an asbestos analysis?

Accepted Answer

Order the asbestos analysis in our online shop at semlab.eu. Fill in the order, pay by card and you will receive instructions for posting your sample by email.

Question 3

Do I get a discount if I send several samples?

Accepted Answer

The price per sample is always €49.99 incl. VAT. The same price applies to all orders of up to 100 samples. For projects with more than 100 samples, the price is agreed separately – please contact us.

Question 4

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

You pay by card when you order: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Payment is made in the online shop together with your order.

Question 5

Is VAT included in the price?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the price of €49.99 per sample includes VAT. Business customers with a verified EU VAT number are charged without VAT (reverse charge). All prices are in euros. You pay the postage yourself.

Question 6

How do I take an asbestos sample correctly?

Accepted Answer

Carefully remove a piece of the material about the size of a matchbox (2–3 cm), avoiding dust. Pack the sample in a resealable bag and write the material and sampling spot on it.

Question 7

Can I take the asbestos sample myself or do I need a professional?

Accepted Answer

For smaller renovations at home, you can safely take the sample yourself. Wear protective gloves – an FFP3 respirator mask is recommended but not required. Only firmly bound materials may be sent by post; do not sample crumbly materials such as pipe insulation yourself. For larger demolition or renovation work, a professional carries out the survey.

Question 8

How big should the sample be?

Accepted Answer

A suitable sample is about 2–3 cm, roughly the size of a matchbox. That is enough for JEOL SEM-EDS analysis. Very small crumbs or dust alone are not always enough for a reliable analysis.

Question 9

How do I send the sample to the laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Pack the sample in a sealed plastic bag, write the material and sampling spot on it, and send it to the laboratory in Finland as a letter or small parcel with your national postal service. Check which option your postal service accepts for small items going abroad. You will find further instructions in your order confirmation.

Question 10

Can I send several samples in one envelope or parcel?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can send several samples together. Pack each sample in its own bag and clearly write where each one was taken from.

Question 11

Can water be tested for asbestos?

Accepted Answer

Asbestos in water is rare, because asbestos fibres are usually bound in building materials. We mainly analyse material samples (mortar, tile adhesive, bitumen adhesive, filler, asbestos cement, roofing felt). If you suspect asbestos in your drinking water, contact us – where needed, we will refer you to a laboratory specialising in water.

Question 12

How quickly do I get the result?

Accepted Answer

The result is ready on the same day the sample arrives at our laboratory. This applies to every sample, so there is no need for a separate express service.

Question 13

How do I receive the report?

Accepted Answer

We email the report to you as a PDF in English. It contains the analysis result, the asbestos types identified, the dust class and an interpretation of the result.

Question 14

What's in the report?

Accepted Answer

The report shows whether the sample contains asbestos and, if so, which type it is and which dust class – i.e. risk class 0–5 – the material has. It also states the analytical instrument (JEOL SEM-EDS), the standard (ISO 22262-1) and an interpretation of the result.

Question 15

Which method is used for the analysis?

Accepted Answer

We use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and real-time elemental analysis (LIVE-EDS) in line with ISO 22262-1. It is internationally recognised as one of the most reliable methods for identifying asbestos.

Question 16

What is the difference between PLM and the JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope?

Accepted Answer

PLM (polarised light microscopy) identifies asbestos only by the appearance of the fibres and works for fibres ≥0.25 µm. The JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope combines electron optics with elemental analysis: fibres ≥0.05 µm are identified by their chemical composition. JEOL SEM-EDS also finds thin and mixed fibres. Under the amended EU asbestos directive, asbestos fibres in air samples will be counted with electron microscopy. Semlab already uses the JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope for every analysis.

Question 17

Which asbestos types do you identify?

Accepted Answer

We identify all six regulated asbestos types: chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), crocidolite (blue asbestos), anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite. JEOL SEM-EDS elemental analysis confirms the type even in mixtures and in samples in poor condition.

Question 18

Is it dangerous to take an asbestos sample?

Accepted Answer

Taking a small sample is safe if you follow the instructions. Wear protective gloves and preferably an FFP3 respirator mask. Avoid spreading dust. A single, brief exposure carries a low health risk.

Question 19

When is an asbestos survey required?

Accepted Answer

Before demolition or a major renovation of a building built or renovated before the EU-wide asbestos ban (2005, earlier in many countries), you need to find out whether asbestos is present. Across the EU, work involving asbestos is covered by Directive 2009/148/EC, but national rules differ – check with your country's occupational safety authority. A full survey is carried out by a qualified surveyor.

Question 20

Can I remove material containing asbestos myself?

Accepted Answer

No. Asbestos must always be removed by a contractor qualified for asbestos removal. The work requires specialist expertise, protective equipment and correct disposal of the waste. You can, however, take small samples yourself during a home renovation.

Question 21

What should I do if the result is positive?

Accepted Answer

If the sample contains asbestos, you must not remove the material yourself. Contact a qualified removal contractor. The report also states that the material must be treated as containing asbestos and removed by a contractor with the necessary qualifications.

Question 22

Who can carry out a full asbestos survey?

Accepted Answer

A full pre-demolition survey is carried out by an experienced asbestos surveyor or another competent person. Semlab analyses the samples – you commission the survey itself from a surveyor near you.

Question 23

How quickly does asbestos exposure cause symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Diseases caused by asbestos (asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer) usually develop 10–40 years after exposure. A brief, protected exposure – for example taking a single sample according to the instructions – carries practically no risk of illness. Long, repeated exposure without protection is very harmful, which is why asbestos removal must always be carried out by a qualified contractor with full protective equipment.

Frequently asked questions

Ordering and prices

Sampling and posting

Results and report

Safety and regulations

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