FAQ
What type of products do you test?
The products we currently test include: Water Quality (over 30 tests), Mold, Heavy Metals (17 elements), Asbestos, Lead Paint, Radon, Pesticides (59 known pesticides) PPE (personal protective equipment), Wine, Soil, Water, Hops, Cannabis Products, and Fungi. If it’s not on the list do not worry, we can most likely help just ASK Click here!
Is my information sold or distributed to anyone for any reason?
Since Rose City Labs works with companies that are in regulated industries, we are required to work with those companies and agencies to comply with their regulations. Other than that, Rose City Laboratories LLC. is a privately held company and does NOT sell or surrender our client’s information for any reason, short of a legal warrant issued by court order. Private party’s testing needs are between the lab and them.
Is the lab accredited? What for?
Yes. We are a full-service laboratory with accreditations or certificates from:
OLCC-Oregon Liquor Control Commission
Oregon Administrative Rules Compliant
ORELAP-Oregon Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
ODA-Oregon Department of Agriculture
AHERA Building Inspection
NRSB-National Radon Safety Board
OHA & OSP
TNI - The NELAC Institute
Do I have to physically bring my sample to the lab?
What is on-site sampling?
You have the option of bringing your sample directly to Rose City Labs or let us drive to you anywhere in Oregon or Washington for your convenience.
ASBESTOS QUESTIONS
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous silicate mineral which was used as a building material for many years. It is now a well known health and safety hazard.
Why should someone test for asbestos?
Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to various serious lung conditions, including asbestosis and cancer. Asbestos-containing materials may release fibers when they are disturbed, damaged or removed improperly.
What building materials are likely to contain asbestos?
Vinyl/Linoleum/Floor Tiles
Drywall (Gypsum, Paint, and Skim Coats)
Mastic/Adhesives
Popcorn Ceilings/Ceiling Texture/Ceiling Tiles
Vermiculite Insulation
Siding
Window Glazing
Pipe Insulation
Fiber-concrete panels
High Temperature Gaskets (like those on wood stoves)
Old High-temperature Protective Equipment (firefighter jackets, non-leather welding gloves, grips for high-temp tongs)
Insulation for Kilns, Furnaces, Incinerators, etc.
Fabric Wire Insulation
Sprayed-on Fire Protection (typically on ceiling beams in commercial buildings)
How do I take an asbestos sample?
A mask, protective glasses and gloves should be used at all times when taking the sample.
If the sample is likely to create dust, spray lightly with water before cutting or breaking a piece off.
Samples should be roughly 1-4 inches wide and as representative as possible of the material as a whole.
Place the samples in either a sealed plastic bag or within a sealed, clear and airtight container.
How invasive is asbestos sampling?
While still following requirements, our AHERA-certified sampling technicians do their best to remove the smallest possible sample from the most discrete area possible. During sampling, noticeable damage may occur which is unavoidable.
How soon will the results be ready?
The typical turnaround time on tested samples is 5 subsequent days from date of sampling excluding holidays and weekends. We do offer a number of RUSH options for certain tests if you are on a time crunch.
LEAD PAINT TESTING
Why should someone be concerned about lead?
Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body and can cause serious health issues. If your home was built before 1978, it is more likely to have lead-based paint. Deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, damaged) is a hazard and needs immediate attention. Lead can also be found in drinking water, see below.
How does the lab test for lead?
At Rose City Labs we test using one of two methods:
1. ICPMS - this is a mass spectrometer system used with a powerful microwave to test heavy metals in a multitude of different types of samples.
2. XRF Analyzer - this is a handheld X-Ray analyzer that can penetrate multiple layers of paint without having to remove any paint.
What if I feel sick all the time?
Am I poisoned?
Can you test me or my family?
With so many chemicals in the world we may be poisoning ourselves. Currently we are trying to analyze hair for trace metals like Arsenic, Cadmium, Zinc, Mercury, and Lead with an ICPMS- Mass Spectrometer.
WATER QUALITY TESTING
Why do I need my water tested?
The most common sources of water contaminants include:
Naturally occurring chemicals and minerals
Local land use practices such as fertilizers and pesticides
Manufacturing processes
Malfunctioning wastewater treatment systems
Lead can enter drinking water through corrosion of plumbing materials, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder.
RADON TESTING
What is Radon and why test for it?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States according to the EPA. Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. It disperses rapidly outdoors. Most radon exposure occurs indoors when radon gas becomes trapped after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation.
PPE TESTING
What can you test for?
We currently test for fluid penetration, viral penetration, and flammability.
CANNABIS AND HEMP TESTING
Do you test for mycotoxins?
Yes! We test for Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 and Ochratoxin A.
What do the reports look like?
You can see sample reports by clicking on the links below:
What does the OLCC sampling process involve?
Ensure that you have completed a new client sign-up form. (This step is only required once per client)
Submit a hemp and cannabis sample request form. This is not the METRC manifest. Upon receipt, we will call to confirm your requested time and date and the number and size of batches.
If you plan to deliver the full batches to us for sampling, register a METRC transfer in order for us to receive the batches upon arrival.
If you’ve scheduled and confirmed an on-site pickup of the samples, we will dispatch one of our field technicians in a company vehicle to your location.
The assigned field technician will call to confirm the pickup prior to arrival.
A field technician will take the state-mandated minimum samples and return with the samples to the lab where the testing process will begin.
When all tests have been completed, we will email the results to the email you have listed on your client sign-up form, unless otherwise specified.
Do you test samples from a personal grow?
Yes, we will gladly test samples from a non-commercial personal grow. Also, if preferred, we accept anonymous samples for maintaining customer privacy.
OTHER TESTING
What if I suspect mold in my house, do you test for mold?
Yes! Mold is a type of fungus that thrives on moisture, reproducing through spores that travel through the air. It can be found in places that are exposed to moisture. Mold exposure may cause health issues, especially to people sensitive to mold, have asthma etc.