Only way to know for certain is to have it tested.

Thanks Millworkman.

Hmm. "knowing for certain".. Yea, that would be nice.
So, How would I find someone who I know for certain will give me reliable/truthful advice. As I mentioned, I live in the con-artist capitol of the country.

All you need to know is on the EPA site http://www2.epa.gov/asbestos/asbestos-professionals#labs

NIST is required to maintain a list of accredited testing laboratories.

Here is a link to it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Directory of Accredited Laboratories - Asbestos Fiber Analysis

Thanks Renovator.
Would you happen to know what " Bulk Building Materials" and "Bulk Insulation Samples" means ? Just wondering because the word 'bulk' would seem to me to mean a large quantity. Most of the listings I looked at had these as services listed (bulk).

I'd have a piece of wall 2"X 2" and a baggie of insulation.

Probably not. Asbestos was not normally in common wall plaster. It was sometimes used in accoustical plasters and plasters used in decorative moldings such as crown moldings. If you are overly concerned, have it tested.

You are still using the "best guess" approach.

The EPA site explains that the Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) Test Method is a "bulk test method" for testing materials for asbestos content and the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Test Method is is an "air test method" for determining the presence and amount of asbestos in air samples.

This post was edited by Renovator8 on Mon, Jul 22, 13 at 9:08