WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASBESTOS TESTING TEM VS. PCM?
People often associate the term “air quality” with outdoor environments. However, it turns out that indoor air quality can be even more hazardous than outdoor conditions. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reports that homes often have a higher concentration of air pollutants than found outside.
One common danger to indoor air quality is asbestos particles, especially in buildings constructed before the 1980s. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral known for its resistance to heat and electricity, which led to its widespread use in construction. Unfortunately, it was later discovered that exposure to asbestos is highly toxic.
Consequently, conducting asbestos testing is crucial for occupied buildings. Investing in asbestos testing will help verify the presence of asbestos in your home or business, ensuring your indoor air quality is safe for occupants. Two prevalent methods for asbestos testing are TEM and PCM.
Understanding these methods can assist you in identifying asbestos. In this guide, we will explore the differences between these two commonly used types of asbestos testing. Let’s dive in!
HOW PCM ASBESTOS TESTING WORKS
PCM (Phase Contrast Microscopy) is a widely used testing method for detecting higher concentrations of asbestos. This approach utilizes an optical microscope to count the fibres on a cassette filter to determine the total fibre concentration. Ideally, the test results will show that the asbestos concentration is below Environment Canada’s clearance levels.
PCM asbestos testing enhances the contrast of transparent materials while filtering out background light. After the test is conducted, we send the results to our laboratory for analysis to determine your asbestos levels.
There are several advantages to PCM asbestos testing. One of the primary benefits is that it provides quick results. Additionally, this method tends to be more cost-effective.
However, there are also drawbacks to this approach. It is often less accurate, as it cannot reliably identify low-level concentrations of asbestos.
HOW TEM ASBESTOS TESTING WORKS
The second most common method for testing asbestos is TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy). This test employs an electron microscope, which can detect much smaller and thinner fibres than an optical microscope. These devices scan and quantify the number of asbestos fibres present in the air, even at very low concentrations.
As you might expect, this method is more expensive than PCM asbestos testing. Furthermore, TEM asbestos testing typically takes longer to yield results.
Nonetheless, these tests offer greater accuracy, with a significantly lower likelihood of false-positive results.
CHOOSING TEM VS. PCM
The choice between these two tests depends on several factors. Generally, TEM asbestos testing is primarily utilized in environments occupied by building occupants, whereas PCM asbestos testing is more often used for personnel monitoring and environmental assessments when known asbestos has been disturbed.
FIND AN AIR QUALITY / ASBESTOS TESTING SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST
Eliminate the uncertainty!
At Inspection Services, we offer asbestos testing as a safety solution for various property owners’ needs. Our friendly staff meets or exceeds WorkSafe BC requirements, our inspectors are AHERA certified, and our lab technicians are NIOSH certified. You can rely on our reputation and professionalism to complete the job correctly and in accordance with government regulations.
Contact us today to schedule asbestos testing for your home or business.