We tested this fiber cement roofing for asbestos and present the results here.

This article series discusses identification, repair or replacement of asbestos-containing roof products, disposal of asbestos cement roofing debris and cleaning, safety, and maintenance of these roofs.

Test Results for Fiber Cement Roof Shingles

Test for Asbestos in a 40-year old Fiber Cement Italian Roof

Above, a fiber cement roof in Portofino, Italy, on the Genoa coast, near the Capella DE San Sebastiano, sampled by the author in June 2017. This roof was more than 40 years old.

Our tests point out that even on older fiber cement roofing you should presume that all such products contain asbestos.

[Click to enlarge any image]

The fiber cement roof shown above included steep slope, low slope and a domed roof. Because the roof was kind enough to shed a few shingle fragments we collected a bit to test for asbestos.

Above is our fiber cement roof shingle sample being prepared for mailing to a certified asbestos test lab, EMSL. Below are our own lab photos of the front and back of this cementious roof shingle fragment.

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Below are our lab test results - asbestos was not detected in this cementious roof shingle. Using PLM microscopy and the EPA 600/R-93/116 Method, EMSL found that this was 100% non-fibrous "other" material.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Below are our lab test results for the same sample using EMSL's Asbestos Analysis of Non-Friable Organically Bound Materials by TEM via EPA/600/R-93/116 Section 2.5.5.1 Asbestos was not detected.

• ASBESTOS TEST RESULTS SUMMARY [PDF] 2020/01-18-20, Test Report: Asbestos Analysis of Bulk Materials via EPA 600/R-93/116 Method using Polarized Light Microscopy EMSL Ord No. 042000629 2019-12-26 for samples No. 001-005 and 008-015.
  
  For samples 001-005, and 008-014
  
  Sample No. 01: see details at TEST of CEMENT ASBESTOS ROOF SHINGLE for ASBESTOS - Portofino Italy, fiber cement roof
  
  Sample No. 02: see details at MANUFACTURED / SYNTHETIC SLATE ASBESTOS CONTENT - Omaru New Zealand, synthetic slate roof
  
  Sample No. 05: see details at MARBLE / STONE CHIP PATTERN FLOORING ASBESTOS
  
  Sample No. 11: see details at ASBESTOS ELECTRICAL WIRE INSULATION
• ASBESTOS TEST REPORT: Asbestos Analysis of Non-Friable Organically Bound Materials by TEM via EPA/600/R-93/116 Section 2.5.5.1 [PDF] 2020/01/22 Test Report: Asbestos Analysis of Non-Friable Organically Bound Materials by TEM via EPA/600/R-93/116 Section 2.5.5.1
  
  For samples 001, 010, 011
• Contact: EMSL Analytical, Inc., 200 Route 130 North, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 USA, Tel: 856-303-2500 - Fax: 856-786-5974 - Toll Free: 800-220-3675
  Lab Hours: Mon-Friday 7AM-10PM, Saturday 8AM-5PM, Sunday On-Call.
• ASBESTOS TEST LABS in the USA - EXAMPLE REPORTS - provides fourteen example asbestos test results from EMSL

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2019-01-12 by (anon) - Asbestos Content in Asphalt Roof Shingles

Anonymous asked: Asbestos Content in Asphalt Roof Shingles

I can't find an answer, so I'm bothering you. Sorry.

I took a 4-inch sample from one of the ashphalt shingles coming off my roof to a lab for asbestos testing. I asked them if I needed to bring five or six samples and they said no, one is sufficient.
Do you agree?

Anonymous by private email

Moderator Reply:

Naturally I would tend to agree with the people you're hiring to do the "asbestos" test though without more specific information I'm unclear about why you are testing modern asphalt roof shingles for asbestos.

IF you know that your asphalt roofing materials - such as asphalt shingles, roofing felt, roll roofing, were manufactured before roofing manufacturers in your country stopped using asbestos THEN you might treat the roof as "PACM" - presumed asbestos containing material, OR if facing extra demolition costs (because of PACM) you might want to have a sample tested.

If your home or its roof are in the United States and are newer than around 1985, the chances of asbestos in your asphalt roof shingles are pretty low.

Only if a roofer used old roof shingle stock might that be expected.

But the lab cannot see your house, doesn't know its history, won't know the history of the roof, won't know if more than one brand, age, or shingle product is or was installed, and probably knows even less about asphalt shingle roofing practices or inspection.

So ALL that an asbestos lab is likely to tell you is whether or not they detected asbestos in the sample that you provided.

They cannot take responsibility for sample selection or the sampling process. To have expert advice on sampling of a roof for asbestos you would need an on-site expert.

Or you can continue as a DIY project in which case it's up to you to know that your sample is representative.

Minnesota's DOH adds this advice

Just having asbestos siding and roofing on your home does not pose a hazard to your health. Asbestos-containing roofing and siding in good condition are best left alone.

Damaged roofing and siding should be carefully repaired. Sometimes asbestos-containing roofing and siding can be covered with new materials. Check your local building codes. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asbestos/homeowner/roofside.html

On 2019-01-09 - by (mod) - asbestos in American Cemwood Roofs vs Permatex ?

Larrry take a look at our article on AMERICAN CEMWOOD ROOFING where we discuss the asbestos question and offer that you can distinguish between wood product shingles and asbestos-cement shingles.

Also see PERMATEK SHAKE ROOF REPAIR METHODS

On 2019-01-09 by Larry

I had either Permatex or Cemwood installed on my roof in 1993. Does it have asbestos in it?

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Continue reading at ASBESTOS CEMENT SHINGLE WEAR SIGNS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS & FIBER CEMENT ROOFING - home
• ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOF REPAIR
• ASBESTOS CEMENT SIDING
• ASBESTOS DISPOSAL REGULATIONS
• ASBESTOS REMOVAL, WETTING GUIDELINES
• ASBESTOS ROOF POWER WASHING
• ASBESTOS ROOFING, CORRUGATED
• ASBESTOS ROOFING WEAR SIGNS
• ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST
• CORRUGATED CEMENT ASBESTOS ROOFING
• FIBERBOARD ROOFING & FIBER-WOOD ROOFING
• FIBER CEMENT PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS
• MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR ASBESTOS CEMENT SHINGLES
• MANUFACTURED / SYNTHETIC SLATE ASBESTOS CONTENT
• OSHA REGULATIONS, ASBESTOS ROOFING, SIDING
• REPLACEMENTS FOR ASBESTOS CEMENT SHINGLES

Suggested citation for this web page

FIBER CEMENT ROOF SHINGLE ASBESTOS TEST RESULTS - at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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