Inspection Service
Although there is no single test to determine contamination in your drywall and the severity of its effects, we follow the most recent CPSC, FTC and EPAW guidelines to structure our testing procedure. We have broken the contaminated drywall detection process into three stages:
Stage 1 – Initial Assessment
A technician will utilize x-ray fluorescence (XRF) to test your drywall for elements associated with the contaminated drywall. The readings are immediately available. (estimated cost $400)
Stage 2 – Laboratory Analysis
If the XRF tests show positive for possible contaminated drywall. Samples are taken and sent to a biotechnology lab for analysis and confirmation of contamination. (estimated cost $150 per sample)
Stage 3 – Drywall Mapping
A technician will utilize x-ray fluorescence (XRF) to test every single sheet of drywall in your building. The purpose is “map” every drywall sheet that contains contaminants. These findings are recorded in a tamper-proof format that can be submitted as legal evidence. (estimated cost $1500 for under 4000 sq. ft.)
The following process is utilized to help clients determine if their home or property contains contaminated or toxic drywall:
- We will schedule an appointment at the home or property to set up for testing of samples from the inspection. Please allow up to 4 hours to conduct testing on a single family home (and up to 5000 SF) and 6 hours (up to 7500 SF) on a commercial property.
- Prior to beginning the testing we will discuss any specific concerns with the property owner and conduct visual observations of potential existing issues in the home.
- We will determine when the structure was completed and trace, if possible, material origins.
- We will begin the analysis by using XRF testing (x-ray fluorescence) on drywall samples at electrical sockets and light switches by removing the cover plate and exposing the drywall. This allows immediate access to the drywall without damaging the walls.
- The XRF will test for higher than normal levels of Sulfur and Strontium. Strontium has been identified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as a unique marker of contaminated drywall. Any drywall areas in the home or building found to have an undesirable level of the Strontium will have core samples taken from them and sent to an accredited laboratory for further analysis. The samples are processed on-site to ensure that there is no exposure to outside elements.
- We send the processed samples to a biotechnology laboratory for analysis.
- The laboratory analysis includes Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), which measures infrared light that is reflected or passes through the provided sample. The result is compared with a known spectrum and for purposes of identifying the existence of contaminated drywall. FTIR is used to detect carbonate sulfide, another chemical element closely associated with contaminated drywall.
Turn-around time for processing the samples at the laboratory is approximately one week and the results are then reviewed and analyzed by our experts. We then deliver a findings report determining if your drywall is contaminated.
If it’s determined that further testing is necessary, this process is a month-long process that includes corrosion testing of various household metals.