How can you tell if asbestos is still in the air after asbestos removal - also knowns as asbestos abatement was performed?

Asbestos is not visible by the naked eye. Only through microscopes. The only way to tell if you have asbestos in the air is to take air samples and have it analyzed for asbestos.

There are two main options for analysis for identifying asbestos fibers after air sampling is performed. One method is called: Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) and the other method is Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

The TEM method for asbestos air sampling costs a lot more than PCM but the benefit is that it identifies asbestos fibers - exactly and by name.

Whereas PCM air samples identify fibers that fall within a certain size ratio within the microscope. Sometimes, fiberglass fibers can fall within the same ratio.