Asbestos testing and analysis

How do I know if a material contains asbestos?

Can laboratory analyse samples for asbestos content?

Who can take samples for asbestos analysis?

Can I submit samples to Environmental Evaluation for analysis?

How do I know if there are asbestos fibres in the air?

When are asbestos air samples taken?

Who can take and analyse asbestos air samples?

See also asbestos information and asbestos survey page.

The presence of asbestos can only be confirmed by laboratory analysis. The technique that is most commonly used in the UK is described in Guidance Note HSG 248 "The Analysts Guide", published by the Health and Safety Executive. The technique involves the use of polarised light microscopy.

Back to asbestos testing and analysis index

The Approved Code of Practice "Work with materials containing asbestos. Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006" stipulates that analysis for asbestos materials must only be undertaken by a laboratory that is accredited by UKAS for that test to the ISO 17025 standard. Environmental Evaluation is accredited by UKAS to both ISO 17020 and ISO 17025.

Environmental Evaluation is a totally independent consultancy, wholly owned by the directors of the company and with no links to asbestos removal contractors; our aim is to provide impartial, practical advice to our customers.

As well as our accreditation to ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 Environmental Evaluation has ISO 9001 registration for its quality management system, ISO 14001 registration for its Environmental Management System and OHSAS 18001 registration for its Health & Safety Management system.

Details can be found through links on our accreditations page.

Details of our team of asbestos specialists, together with their qualifications and capabilities can be
found on the asbestos team page of this website.

Back to asbestos testing and analysis index

Taking samples from asbestos containing materials can release asbestos fibres. Sampling should only be undertaken by people who are trained and competent to do so. All Environmental Evaluation staff authorised to take samples have been trained and the sampling activity is included in our accreditation by UKAS to ISO 17025.

Back to asbestos testing and analysis index

Environmental Evaluation’s laboratories in Oldham, Luton and Stirling undertake analysis of samples for external customers. Our standard turnaround time is 5 – 7 days; this can be reduced by prior agreement and a "while you wait" analysis can normally be undertaken for small numbers of samples when the results are required urgently.

The procedure for submitting samples to Environmental Evaluation is:

1. Each sample should be “double bagged”. Each bag should be labelled with your unique sample number. (Environmental Evaluation can supply suitable sample bags, if required).
   
   
2. The bagged samples should be contained within a suitable container or envelope, the outside of which should be marked "contains samples for analysis".
   
   
3. The container should be delivered to our Oldham, Luton or Stirling offices together with an analysis request form (click here for download) which will detail your sample identifier and the description of the sample, which will be reproduced on the certificate of analysis.
   
   

Back to asbestos testing and analysis index

When damaged or disturbed asbestos containing materials can release tiny fibres into the air. These fibres are invisible to the eye, and the only way to determine if fibres are present is by taking air samples and analysing them using a microscope.

Air sampling involves drawing a known amount of air through a special filter so that airborne particles, including asbestos fibres, are trapped on the filter. The filter is then prepared for examination under a microscope. The analyst examines the filter using a technique called phase contrast microscopy (PCM) and determines how many respirable fibres were present in the air sample.

The technique errs on the side of caution in that the analyst will count all respirable fibres, even though some of them may not be asbestos. The technique is relatively inexpensive and has the advantage that the equipment needed for the test is transportable in the boot of a car. Environmental Evaluation’s air testing technicians and consultants can bring all the equipment necessary to provide an analysis result on site.

Back to asbestos testing and analysis index

When are asbestos air samples taken?

Examples of when air sampling is undertaken:

• "Leak" testing. Samples taken outside an asbestos removal enclosure to ensure and demonstrate that the measures taken to prevent release of asbestos from the enclosure are effective.
  
  
• Certificate of reoccupation (“clearance testing”). Samples taken within an asbestos removal / remediation enclosure after work has been completed to establish if it is safe to dismantle the enclosure and return the area to normal occupation. The analyst will need to undertake inspections as well as testing before the certificate of reoccupation can be issued.
  
  
• "Reassurance" sampling. This term describes other situations where static samples have been used to ensure and demonstrate that an area is safe for occupation, for example after an asbestos removal enclosure has been removed, or in an area where staff are concerned about the presence of asbestos containing materials in the workplace.
  
  
• Personal sampling. This is sampling to establish the exposure level of someone working on or with asbestos containing materials; it is used to assess if engineering and other control measures are effective in controlling exposure to asbestos fibres, establish what type of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is needed and support risk assessments.

Back to asbestos testing and analysis index

The Approved Code of Practice “Work with materials containing asbestos. Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006” stipulates that any laboratory or consultant engaged to undertake asbestos air sampling must only be accredited by UKAS for that test to the ISO 17025 standard.

Environmental Evaluation is accredited by UKAS to both ISO 17020 and ISO 17025.

Environmental Evaluation is a totally independent consultancy, wholly owned by the directors of the company and with no links to asbestos removal contractors; our aim is to provide impartial, practical advice to our customers.

As well as our accreditation to ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 Environmental Evaluation has ISO 9001 registration for its quality management system, ISO 14001 registration for its Environmental Management System and OHSAS 18001 registration for its Health & Safety Management system. Details can be found through links on our accreditations page.

Details of our team of asbestos specialists, together with their qualifications and capabilities can be found on the asbestos team page of this website.

Back to asbestos testing and analysis index