Freshly sampled asphalt should be sealed and labeled immediately after sampling.

• A. True
• B. Cannot be determined
• C. False
• D. Depends on the sample size

Answer: (C)

Fresh asphalt is hot and contains components that can evaporate or change as it cools. Sealing and labeling while it’s still very hot can trap vapors, alter the sample’s state, and make the label more likely to smear or come off. The correct practice is to let the sample cool to ambient temperature, then seal it in a clean, leak‑proof container and apply a durable label with essential identifying information (project/site, location, date/time, sample type, and test plan). This preserves the sample’s representativeness, prevents evaporation or contamination, and ensures proper traceability. So, sealing and labeling immediately after sampling isn’t the recommended approach.