Asbestos Discovery Causes the Temporary Closure of School Building in Colorado

Recently, a school district in Colorado announced that during a routine inspection of a building on campus, debris in the school’s ceiling was found to contain asbestos. In response, school officials dismissed students early and told them they would be remote learning until the extent of the asbestos contamination on campus was determined.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used in numerous building materials for decades. Anyone can be exposed to asbestos fibers through inhalation or ingestion from asbestos-containing materials that have become friable or disturbed during renovation, remodeling and demolition activities. It is most likely to be found in schools, homes and other buildings constructed between approximately the 1930s and the 1970s.

“Due to the unique properties of asbestos, it was used in everything from roofing and siding to insulation, flooring, textured paints and other materials,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Some reports indicate it was used in over 3000 materials by the 1970s. Fortunately, in this instance, the asbestos was discovered when the suspicious materials were tested. Testing is the only way to know for sure if asbestos is present.”

Helping school districts, facility managers, environmental engineers, industrial hygienists and homeowners across North America test for asbestos are the scientists at EMSL Analytical, Inc. With dozens of laboratories in the United States and Canada, EMSL provides laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and even carries an assortment of personal protective equipment (PPE).

To learn more about asbestos testing or other occupational, environmental, air quality, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . For access to asbestos or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail