TESTING ASBESTOS

Testing asbestos is a viable action due to importation of asbestos into the UK

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Testing asbestos is a viable service even though the importation of asbestos into the UK has been banned for many years. The presence of asbestos material is still imbedded in many buildings and other structures throughout the world. In fact, if you live or work in a building constructed before 1999, it may contain some form of asbestos.

 

Why Was Asbestos Banned?

 

Asbestos was once considered a prime product because of the affordability and myriad of uses. Asbestos was banned because of the extreme health risks. There is a link between asbestos exposure and certain diseases and cancers.

 

Disturbing asbestos in the slightest will cause the release of harmful fibres into the air. These fibres cannot be seen but are damaging to the body when breathed in. Releasing the fibres may be unintentional but often happens when buildings or houses are torn down or reconstructed without proper testing of materials.

 

What to Test

 

In November 2006 the Health and Safety Executive formed the ‘Control of Asbestos Regulations’. It is not a law to get your building surveyed for asbestos, but it is highly recommended. This is to protect any employees or tenants from the danger of exposure. Exposure without proper testing and care holds the owner responsible.

 

A licensed asbestos surveyor will give you a general idea of what may be contaminated. From there you can hire the professional to take a sampling to have tested. This is a specialized process that must be done according to regulation.

 

Some examples of things that should be tested are ceiling and floor tiles, fire doors, roof panels, building cement, and pipe lagging among others. This doesn’t mean that any or all of these things will be tested. It’s a matter of how old the building is and the type of materials used.

 

Testing Procedure

 

The licensed professional will come prepared with special gear to wear while cutting samples from the building. The samples must be placed inside a ‘special waste’ bag. It will need to be double bagged and labeled before removing from the area. It will then be transported in a registered and licensed vehicle that meets regulation standards.

 

The sample will be taken to a Health & Safety Executive licensed testing facility where there will be a cost per test. These professionals will test for the presence of asbestos as well as the type of asbestos. The turnaround time for test results is usually minimal; a few days. The testers will then inform you of the results. They can also recommend a licensed asbestos removal company if dangerous levels of asbestos are present.

 

To Test or not to Test

 

It is highly recommended to test for asbestos. Although there is expense involved, it is worth the cost. If you decide not to test there will be the assumption that asbestos is present and you will have to treat the building as such. This is not good for business or for your employees.

 

The answer is to call a licensed professional for surveying and testing asbestos. 

 

Further information and resource can be found from the following links:

 

Asbestos Identification                                      Asbestos Sampling

Asbestos Test                                                     Asbestos Testing Services                  UK Asbestos Testing 

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