That's why medical, environmental health and regulatory organizations stress the need to protect health by minimizing exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. This is particularly true when asbestos fibers accumulate at elevated levels. Elevated levels result from uncontrolled disturbances and removals of asbestos-containing materials. Look for an asbestos marking on the product or track the product back to its manufacturer or supplier. If these approaches don't work, submit a small sample for laboratory analysis.
Cost is minimal.
Ask a laboratory technician to instruct you how to safely take a sample. If you decide not to check for asbestos in a suspected material, you should assume it contains asbestos and treat it accordingly. It's common to find it as insulation on old furnaces and boilers, heating ducts and hot water pipes. It's also often found in insulating board materials installed under or around heating appliances. It's extremely fragile and is easily disturbed.