Asbestos Testing Oklahoma City
Some answers are cheaper than mistakes.
You're about to tear out that old bathroom. Demo that dropped ceiling. Scrape off
that popcorn texture your realtor swore was "just drywall mud."
But your house was built in 1972. And
now you're googling at 2am wondering if you're about to make a very expensive mistake.
I'm
Derrick Fredendall. I test building materials for asbestos. A certified lab tells us what's
actually there — before you find out the hard way.
You're Searching Because You're About To Disturb Something
Click what applies to you:
What You Need to Know About Asbestos
Asbestos was used in thousands of building products before 1980 because it was cheap, durable, and fireproof. The problem is what happens when it's disturbed.
The Basics
Asbestos is a mineral fiber — microscopic, invisible to the naked eye, and dangerous when inhaled. It causes lung disease and mesothelioma, a cancer with no cure and a 30-40 year latency period.
Intact asbestos isn't the problem. Materials in good condition that aren't being disturbed generally don't release fibers. The danger is disturbance — cutting, drilling, scraping, demolition.
You can't identify it visually. Asbestos-containing materials look exactly like non-asbestos materials. The only way to know is laboratory analysis.
Common Asbestos-Containing Materials in Oklahoma Homes
Floor Tiles & Mastic
9x9 inch vinyl tiles (sometimes 12x12) and black adhesive underneath. Found in kitchens, baths, basements built 1920s-1980.
Popcorn & Textured Ceilings
Sprayed acoustic ceiling texture, especially applied before 1978. Can contain 1-10% chrysotile asbestos.
Pipe & Duct Insulation
White or gray corrugated paper wrap on heating pipes. Cloth-like tape on ductwork. Often 15-85% asbestos.
Cement Siding (Transite)
Gray fiber-cement board siding and shingles. Hard and durable. Contains 10-50% asbestos when original to pre-1980 construction.
Vermiculite Insulation
Loose-fill gray or brown granular attic insulation. Much of it (especially "Zonolite" brand) was contaminated with asbestos fibers from the Libby, Montana mine.
Other Materials
Joint compound, plaster, roofing shingles, furnace gaskets, boiler insulation, window caulk, and dozens of other products.
The "1% Rule": Under EPA regulations (40 CFR 763.83), any material containing more than 1% asbestos is classified as Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) and triggers specific handling requirements.
What You Get With TrueSight Asbestos Testing
Professional sampling, certified laboratory analysis, and clear documentation.
Professional Sampling
Proper PPE, wet methods, and containment to prevent fiber release during collection.
PLM Lab Analysis
Polarized Light Microscopy at NVLAP-accredited laboratory. The EPA-standard method.
Detailed Report
Species identification, percentage, and fiber type. Plain-English interpretation.
Photo Documentation
Photographs of all sampled materials and locations for reference.
Location Mapping
Clear notation of where each sample was collected for contractor reference.
Results Consultation
I explain what the results mean and answer your questions about next steps.
How Testing Works
From scheduling to results — here's exactly what happens.
Tell me what you're planning and what materials you're concerned about. I'll let you know approximately how many samples we'll need.
I walk through the work area, identify suspect materials, and discuss which ones need testing based on your renovation scope.
Using wet methods and proper containment, I collect small samples from each material. Holes are patched or sealed to prevent dust release.
Samples ship to a NVLAP-accredited lab for PLM analysis. Results typically arrive in 3-5 business days. Rush turnaround available.
Written report with lab certificates, plus a phone call or email to explain findings and discuss options if asbestos is detected.
Why I Don't Remove Asbestos
Some companies offer both testing and abatement. That creates a problem.
When the same business that tests your home also profits from finding something to remove, there's a financial incentive to find problems — and to recommend the most expensive solution.
I don't do abatement. I don't get paid more when I find asbestos.
I find out what's there. Someone else handles removal.
- No pressure to find asbestos where there isn't any
- No upselling to unnecessary removal
- No "everything needs to be abated immediately"
- No conflict of interest
Why This Matters: Regulations and Real Consequences
Asbestos isn't just a health issue — it's a legal one.
Federal & State Requirements
NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants): Requires proper notification, inspection, and handling of asbestos before renovation or demolition of commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings.
OSHA Standards: Contractors disturbing asbestos must follow strict exposure controls. The current Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter — about 100 times lower than what was considered "safe" in the 1970s.
Oklahoma DEQ: State regulations mirror federal requirements. Improper handling can result in fines, work stoppages, and mandatory cleanup.
The reality: Getting caught handling asbestos improperly is much more expensive than testing beforehand. Fines can exceed $10,000 per violation. Contamination cleanup can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Testing is the cheap insurance.
What It Costs
Up to 3 samples, PLM analysis, detailed report.
Per sample. Most renovations need 3-6 total.
Service Area: Norman, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, Yukon, and surrounding areas. Mileage fee beyond 45 miles.
Asbestos Situations We See in Oklahoma City
The Kitchen Renovation Surprise
A Norman homeowner started demo on their 1975 kitchen. The contractor noticed the floor tile was 9x9. Testing confirmed 3% chrysotile asbestos in both the tile and black mastic. Work stopped for proper abatement.
The Popcorn Ceiling Question
An Edmond couple wanted to smooth their ceilings before selling. House built in 1978 — the year asbestos was banned in ceiling texture. Testing showed non-detect. They saved $4,000 in abatement costs.
The Pipe Insulation Discovery
A Midwest City buyer ordered a home inspection. The inspector flagged white corrugated pipe wrap in the basement. Testing confirmed amosite asbestos — used to negotiate $8,000 off the purchase price.
The Vermiculite Attic
A Moore family found loose-fill gray insulation in their 1960s ranch attic. Testing showed it was Libby vermiculite — contaminated with tremolite asbestos. Now they know not to disturb it during any future work.
Who's Testing Your Materials
Derrick Fredendall — TrueSight Environmental
Know Before You Demo
Testing costs a fraction of what goes wrong without it.