Common asbestos siding was frequently applied between the 1950s to the early 1970s. It is approximately 3/16 to 1/4 inch thick and may be embrossed with a pattern. It is extremely hard and durable. The only way to definitely determine if a fiber-cement shingle is asbestos -containing is to take a small piece for analysis to a local analytical lab (see Yellow Pages).
Polarized light microscopy (PLM) analysis costs from $15 to $35 depending on how fast you want results.
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