New York State Department of Health Issues New Testing Methods for Vermiculite

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has issued an interim guidance letter providing testing alternatives for materials containing vermiculite after receiving questions from industry representatives. The new guidance document will replace FAQ #10 from April 8, 2011, as well as the guidance letter issued on June 22, 2012.

The new interim guidance letter is intended to be used until new testing methods are established that effectively remove vermiculite from test samples and accurately identify asbestos.

Under this temporary testing method, certified laboratories may use ELAP Certification Manual Item 198.1 to determine asbestos content in thermal systems insulation, surfacing material, and other presumed ACM or miscellaneous suspect ACM if the material contains 10% vermiculite or less. If the material contains greater than 10% vermiculite, ELAP Certification Manual Item 198.6 should be used to determine the asbestos content.

According to the New York State Department of Health, If Item 198.1 indicates that the material contains greater than 10% vermiculite, the following disclaimer must be placed on the analytical report for results obtained from the Item 198.6 analysis: “This method does not remove vermiculite and may underestimate the level of asbestos present in a sample containing greater than 10% vermiculite.”

“Vermiculite ores contain a range of other minerals, and vermiculite from some sources have been found to be contaminated with asbestos,” states Robert DeMalo, M.Sc., Senior Vice President of Laboratory Services and Business Development. “As the nation’s leading asbestos testing laboratory, EMSL Analytical has been at the forefront of evolving analytical methodologies and our laboratories are fully equipped, trained and experienced to test for the presence of asbestos in vermiculite containing building materials.”

For more information regarding EMSL’s asbestos testing services, please call 800-220-3675 or visit www.EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of consumer product, environmental, industrial hygiene, food, and materials testing services to professionals and the general public. In addition, the company offers a large variety of air sampling equipment, sampling cassettes, and monitoring equipment. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies. They include, but are not limited to AIHA IHLAP, AIHA EMLAP, AIHA ELLAP, A2LA, NVLAP, CDC Elite, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX Department of State Health Services, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com