Soil, Lead Dust & Asbestos Testing Requests
Separate soil/lead-dust laboratory analysis from professional asbestos collection and inspection; avoid unsafe DIY sampling. Laboratory Vortex coordinates requests to independent providers; it does not perform testing or certify homes safe.
Different materials, different methods
Soil metals, lead in settled dust and asbestos in building material are separate analytical scopes. Lead-dust wipes require a defined collection area and reporting units; soil analysis may use total or extractable metals for a defined decision. Do not apply drinking-water limits to soil or dust.
Do not disturb suspected asbestos
Do not collect suspect building-material samples yourself. EPA recommends trained, accredited professionals for asbestos assessment and sampling; disturbance can release fibres. Bulk identification and airborne-fibre measurement are distinct, and some methods count fibres without identifying every fibre as asbestos.
Choose qualifications by programme
For lead analyses supporting relevant US lead programmes, check EPA's National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program recognition and the applicable soil, paint or dust scope. Consumer lead swabs are screening tools, not substitutes for all regulatory laboratory assessments. Ask the provider to define collection, method, reporting limit and interpretation.
Asbestos analysis and exposure assessment