Asbestos Air Monitoring
We offer a wide range of asbestos air monitoring services:
Reassurance
Air Test
- Provides data on respirable fibres in air.
Background Air Test
- Provides data on respirable fibres in air prior to work with or near asbestos-containing materials.
Air Clearance & Certificate of Reoccupation
- Inspection and air tests of enclosures required for the removal of certain asbestos-containing materials and the issue of a Certificate of Reoccupation.
Personal Asbestos Monitoring
- Can be undertaken for employees working on or near asbestos-containing materials in order to provide information regarding suitable and safe working practices.
We hold UKAS accreditation for asbestos air monitoring, air sampling and fibre counting, and we are regular participants in the RICE inter-laboratory counting exchange.
Asbestos Fibres
Asbestos minerals incorporated in building materials break down to very fine fibres when disturbed. These fibres can linger in the air for a considerable time. The fibres are so small that they penetrate very deep into the respiratory system; hence, they are referred to as respirable fibres. Whilst other materials may generate respirable size fibres to some extent, this phenomenon is a particular characteristic of the asbestos minerals.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 define a control limit and an air clearance limit for asbestos (respirable) fibres in air. These are regulatory fibre concentrations that must not be exceeded in specified situations.
Airborne respirable fibre concentrations are determined by collecting airborne dust on cellulose nitrate filters and counting the fibres under phase contrast microscopy.
Reassurrance Testing
Reassurance asbestos air testing provides information on respirable fibre concentrations in air, and helps to define whether a work area is suitable for occupation. Reassurance air sampling may follow some very minor work on an asbestos-containing material. Or it may be appropriate when damaged asbestos is found.
Background Air Testing
Background testing provides baseline information on respirable fibres in a building prior to asbestos work taking place.
Personal Exposure Monitoring
In some instances employers are required to keep records of those who work with asbestos-containing materials. Part of this record keeping can involve periodically measuring exposure levels of individual workers to respirable fibres.
Air Clearance and Certificate of Reoccupation
A certificate of reoccupation is required on completion of licensed asbestos removal work. Within the certificate of reoccupation there is an air clearance certificate which defines that the air quality has reached an acceptable standard, and normal activities can resume in the building.