Asbestos testing labs in Pennsylvania
6 lab sites accredited by NIST NVLAP · as listed on November 7, 2026
About this list
On November 7, 2026 the NIST NVLAP directory listed 6 lab sites in Pennsylvania (5 cities) accredited for Asbestos Fiber Analysis. Their scope documents show 6 sites accredited for bulk analysis (PLM) and 3 sites for airborne analysis (TEM).
Sorted A to Z. A listing is not an endorsement and does not say whether the lab takes samples from homeowners. Confirm the test you need with the lab before you send samples.
Accreditation as listed by NIST NVLAP on November 7, 2026; confirm with the lab.
Accredited asbestos labs in Pennsylvania (6)
| Lab | City | Bulk (PLM) | Airborne (TEM) | NVLAP lab code | Accreditation expires | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGX, Inc. | Wexford | Yes | No | 101578-0 | March 31, 2027 | Not stated on the list |
| Criterion Laboratories, Inc. | Bensalem | Yes | No | 102046-0 | June 30, 2027 | (215) 244-1300 |
| Eckhart Environmental Services, LLC | Media | Yes | No | 600273-0 | June 30, 2027 | Not stated on the list |
| EMSL Analytical, Inc. | Plymouth Meeting | Yes | Yes | 200699-0 | December 31, 2026 | Not stated on the list |
| Intertek-PSI, Inc. | Pittsburgh | Yes | Yes | 101350-0 | June 30, 2027 | (412) 922-4000 |
| RJ Lee Group, Inc. | Pittsburgh | Yes | Yes | 101208-0 | June 30, 2027 | Not stated on the list |
Pennsylvania asbestos rules in brief
- Who runs the program: The PA Department of Labor and Industry (Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety) certifies asbestos occupations; the Department of Environmental Protection handles NESHAP renovation and demolition notifications. (Asbestos Occupations Accreditation and Certification Act (Act 194 of 1990)) source
- Licensing: Pennsylvania requires L&I certification for asbestos building inspectors, contractors, management planners, project designers, supervisors and workers; everyone entering containment must be certified. (Act 194 of 1990) source
- Notice before work: Projects subject to the NESHAP need at least 10 working days' notice to DEP, and abatement of more than 3 square or 3 linear feet of friable asbestos needs a notice at least five days (Monday-Sunday) ahead. DEP says it does not regulate asbestos removal from private residences, except apartments with five or more units. (40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M; Act 194 of 1990) source
Read on the official pages linked, November 15, 2026, and re-checked by a second reader. A summary, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the agency before work starts.
Older homes in Pennsylvania and where the labs are
In Pennsylvania, 3,903,515 of 5,806,452 housing units (67%) were built before 1980, rank 5 of 45 states and DC by that share (Census ACS 2020–2024, table B25034). Homes of that age are the ones most likely to contain asbestos-containing materials such as insulation, flooring and popcorn ceilings. The counties with the most older homes, and how far each is from the nearest NVLAP-accredited asbestos lab site:
| County | Homes built before 1980 | Share of homes | Nearest listed lab site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia County | 623,430 | 83% | 8 mi: EMSL Analytical, Inc., Cinnaminson |
| Allegheny County | 468,114 | 77% | 5 mi: Intertek-PSI, Inc., Pittsburgh |
| Montgomery County | 214,192 | 61% | 5 mi: EMSL Analytical, Inc., Plymouth Meeting |
| Delaware County | 182,139 | 79% | 3 mi: Eckhart Environmental Services, LLC, Media |
| Bucks County | 148,221 | 58% | 17 mi: Criterion Laboratories, Inc., Bensalem |
| Westmoreland County | 120,108 | 71% | 16 mi: RJ Lee Group, Inc., Pittsburgh |
| Lancaster County | 115,012 | 52% | 39 mi: Batta Laboratories, LLC, Newark |
| Luzerne County | 112,616 | 74% | 81 mi: EMSL Analytical, Inc., Plymouth Meeting |
Over 50 miles from the nearest listed site: Luzerne County. Many labs accept samples by mail; ask before you ship. Distance runs from the county’s centre (mean of its ZIP-code points) to the lab’s ZIP-code point, in a straight line. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25034 (Year structure built), county level, downloaded November 15, 2026.
How far the labs stretch in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 6 listed asbestos lab sites for about 3,903,515 homes built before 1980: one site per 650,586 older homes, the 10th most stretched of 35 states with a listed site (the middle state has one per 455,948).
- 6 of the 6 sites are accredited for material samples by PLM (pieces of popcorn ceiling, vinyl floor tile, pipe wrap or other building material).
- 3 of the 6 sites are accredited for air samples by TEM (air samples, such as the clearance test after asbestos removal).
Counts from the accreditation list; homes from Census ACS 2020–2024 (B25034). A site count, not capacity: one lab can process many samples, and many accept samples by mail.
Labs here that print a homeowner price
- Criterion Laboratories, Inc.: $20.00 per sample · 1 week · lab’s page
- EMSL Analytical, Inc.: $95.00 per sample · lab’s page
As printed on the lab’s website, read November 13, 2026. Confirm the price and the test with the lab. Compare all published prices, including labs in other states.
Bulk (PLM) and Airborne (TEM) are the two parts of the NVLAP program as NIST names them; “Yes” means the lab’s scope document lists a method in that category. Other states: all states.
Other home hazard tests: Lead paint testing · Mold testing.