Modern test systems allow checking the environment we live in for the 3 most common types of contamination. You just need to take samples of mold, asbestos, or lead and send them to the lab. It is important to make sure that you live in a safe and clean environment. It is a good choice if you decided to buy a house or rent an apartment for a long time, ESPECIALLY if you have kids. Lead Test Kit Buying Guide Lead-based paint poses a major health risk to the surroundings, especially for kids. 89% of homes were constructed before 1978. In total, there are roughly 30 million residents in the US. Homeowners can easily access and use home lead test kits. Using chemicals that change color when they react with lead, home lead test kits are used to detect if there is any presence of lead in the area being tested. There are various lead test kits that may be easily obtained online and at nearby hardware stores at a reasonable price. The most typical type involves coating a paint chip or notched surface with a sodium sulfide solution. Another kind of lead test kit involves rubbing a swab over a painted surface. Lead is present if the color of the solution or swab changes. It's a good idea to test the same location twice or three times to reduce the possibility of a false reading. The likelihood of a false negative or false positive is reduced from 1 in 20 to 1 in 400 when the same reading is obtained twice. This possibility is further decreased to 1 in 8000 with a third similar reading. Mold Test Kit Buying Guide Mold often appears in places with high humidity and moisture levels, including restrooms, kitchens, attics, cellars, and basements. A mold test kit is a reliable way to determine what kind of mold is present and how to address the problem. Test Format The type of test used to check for mold growth will depend on the surface that is being tested. A mold test kit can be used to lift a sample from a surface or to distribute a sample on a petri dish. The best option for checking mold in your home is often an air pump that gathers samples for analysis in a lab. Some mold test kits use Petri dishes exposed to the air or collection film. The ideal option is a test kit with a pouch for including samples to submit to a lab if you wish to test things like drywall or carpet fibers for mold. Accreditation You can increase your confidence in the results by selecting an approved at-home mold test kit. As advised by the US Environmental Protection Agency, before purchasing lab-tested mold kits, be sure the laboratory you're sending samples to has earned accreditation from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and other reputable bodies (EPA). Result Type Self-analysis or lab reporting are the two ways to get the findings of an at-home mold test. You will send samples (usually obtained via a tape strip, swab, or petri dish) to a laboratory for professional analysis if you select a test kit that calls for lab reporting. A quick test might produce results in a short period of time, but self-report mold test kits can yield results in around 48 hours. This typically requires waiting a week or longer for the results and could involve additional costs for each sample provided. But you'll get a report that lists the species of mold that's there and how much of it there is. Amount of Samples The equipment needed to collect one or more samples will be included in mold tests. Select a testing kit that has enough materials to gather all of the necessary samples if you need to test multiple surfaces. A Buying Guide for Asbestos Testing Kits Asbestos testing kits allow you to collect asbestos-containing material yourself, saving money while regaining some control over the procedure. Even if you do ultimately hire a testing organization, starting with testing kits is an excellent idea. Reaction Time All asbestos testing kits send you the results, but some are more rapid than others. The majority of asbestos test kits take between a day and a week to deliver the results. While the majority of people can afford to wait a week for their results, not everyone can. For instance, it is crucial to learn as soon as possible whether there is asbestos present if you intend to buy or sell a home. If you have worked on a project at home and think you might have been exposed to asbestos, you might also need quicker results. Age of Home If your house was constructed in the late 1800s or early 1980s, it is more likely to be made with asbestos. Asbestos exposure can be dangerous and cause health problems. You should consider hiring a testing company to come to check for asbestos in your house if you think you might have been exposed to it. Types of Samples An asbestos test kit may test for a variety of materials, so it is important to check the label before purchasing. The best samples for testing are typically those that are crumbly and solid, as they can be quickly tested in a lab. Before buying an asbestos kit, make sure that the associated lab will still be able to conduct the test if only dust samples can be collected. Attics and basements are the first places to detect asbestos. The asbestos sample may also be present in other areas of your house, such as pipe cement, wall panels, ceiling tiles, sheet vinyl flooring, and floor tiles. We've selected the 10 best lead, mold, and asbestos test systems. Lead Test Kit Buying Guide Lead-based paint poses a major health risk to the surroundings, especially for kids. 89% of homes constructed before 1978. In total, there are roughly 30 million residences in the US. Homeowners can easily access and use home lead test kits. Using chemicals that change color when they react with lead, home lead test kits are used to detect if there is any presence of lead in the area being tested. There are various lead test kits that may be easily obtained online and at nearby hardware stores at a reasonable price. The most typical type involves coating a paint chip or notched surface with a sodium sulfide solution. Another kind of lead test kit involves rubbing a swab over a painted surface. Lead is present if the color of the solution or swab changes. It's a good idea to test the same location twice or three times to reduce the possibility of a false reading. The likelihood of a false negative or false positive is reduced from 1 in 20 to 1 in 400 when the same reading is obtained twice. This possibility is further decreased to 1 in 8000 with a third similar reading. Mold Test Kit Buying Guide Mold often appears in places with high humidity and moisture levels, including restrooms, kitchens, attics, cellars, and basements. A mold test kit is a reliable way to determine what kind of mold is present and how to address the problem. Test Format The type of test used to check for mold growth will depend on the surface that is being tested. A mold test kit can be used to lift a sample from a surface or to distribute a sample on a petri dish. The best option for checking mold in your home is often an air pump that gathers samples for analysis in a lab. Some mold test kits use petri dishes exposed to the air or collection film. The ideal option is a test kit with a pouch for including samples to submit to a lab if you wish to test things like drywall or carpet fibers for mold. Accreditation You can increase your confidence in the results by selecting an approved at-home mold test kit. As advised by the US Environmental Protection Agency, before purchasing lab-tested mold kits, be sure the laboratory you're sending samples to has earned accreditation from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and other reputable bodies (EPA). Result Type Self-analysis or lab reporting are the two ways to get the findings of an at-home mold test. You will send samples (usually obtained via a tape strip, swab, or petri dish) to a laboratory for professional analysis if you select a test kit that calls for lab reporting. A quick test might produce results in a short period of time, but self-report mold test kits can yield results in around 48 hours. This typically requires waiting a week or longer for the results and could involve additional costs for each sample provided. But you'll get a report that lists the species of mold that's there and how much of it there is. Amount of Samples The equipment needed to collect one or more samples will be included in mold tests. Select a testing kit that has enough materials to gather all of the necessary samples if you need to test multiple surfaces. A Buying Guide for Asbestos Testing Kits Asbestos testing kits allow you to collect asbestos containing material yourself, saving money while regaining some control over the procedure. Even if you do ultimately hire a testing organization, starting with testing kits is an excellent idea. Reaction Time All asbestos testing kits send you the results, but some are more rapid than others. The majority of asbestos test kits take between a day and a week to deliver you the results. While the majority of people can afford to wait a week for their results, not everyone can. For instance, it is crucial to learn as soon as possible whether there is asbestos present if you intend to buy or sell a home. If you have worked on a project at home and think you might have been exposed to asbestos, you might also need quicker results. Age of Home If your house was constructed in the late 1800s or early 1980s, it is more likely to be made with asbestos. Asbestos exposure can be dangerous and cause health problems. You should consider hiring a testing company to come check for asbestos in your house if you think you might have been exposed to it. Types of Samples An asbestos test kit may test for a variety of materials, so it is important to check the label before purchasing. The best samples for testing are typically those that are crumbly and solid, as they can be quickly tested in a lab. Before buying an asbestos kit, make sure that the associated lab will still be able to conduct the test if only dust samples can be collected. Attics and basements are the first places to detecting asbestos. Asbestos sample may also be present in other areas of your house, such as pipe cement, wall panels, ceiling tiles, sheet vinyl flooring, and floor tiles. We've selected 10 best lead, mold and asbestos test systems.