Which type of sampling method is used specifically for testing air quality regarding asbestos?

Air sampling is the method specifically designed for testing air quality regarding asbestos. This technique involves collecting air samples to measure the concentration of airborne asbestos fibers. By analyzing these samples in a laboratory, inspectors can determine whether the levels of asbestos in the air exceed acceptable safety thresholds, which is critical for assessing potential health risks to occupants and workers in a building.

Surface sampling and bulk sampling serve different purposes. Surface sampling focuses on collecting materials from surfaces to identify asbestos presence on those surfaces, which is useful for assessing contamination but does not measure airborne exposure. Bulk sampling analyzes specific materials such as insulation, tiles, or other materials suspected of containing asbestos to confirm its presence, rather than assessing air quality.

Visual inspection, while an important method in identifying potential asbestos-containing materials and their condition, does not provide quantitative data on air quality. It serves as a preliminary step in the overall assessment process but does not directly measure airborne asbestos levels, which is the primary concern for air quality evaluation. Thus, air sampling stands out as the most relevant and effective method for evaluating asbestos-related air quality.