Air Testing
Asbestos air monitoring and testing is a critical part of ongoing management of asbestos presence, and part of any removals process that disturbs or breaks up asbestos solids.
Anywhere that asbestos containing products are in a poor, aged condition, or at any time when asbestos materials may be moved or disturbed, there is a risk that fibres are being released into the air. The process tests for such respirable fibres in the air so as to properly assess exposure levels and risks, and the effectiveness of control measures.
Analysis of these fibres can be complex; there is a presumption that all fibres of a certain geometry observed under a phase contrast microscope are asbestos, but further testing can often be required to confirm the exact chemical composition, a process carried out using transmission electron microscopy test equipment (TEM).
Air testing is always carried out as part of any of our asbestos removal services as a safety and environmental check that our control measures are fully effective; it becomes a mandatory requirement under legislation any time that removed asbestos is friable; that is, easily crushed and turned into a powder that can easily release fibres into the air. There are several different types of asbestos air monitoring;
Background air monitoring tests the air for respirable fibres before any work which may disturb asbestos containing materials, to establish a background level of airbourne particles (if any exist) and assess whether there may be other sources putting fibres into the air.
Exposure (personal) asbestos air monitoring focuses on the individual and tests the air within a person's breathing zone to determine their likely exposure levels, which can then be compared with the national exposure standard.
Control asbestos air monitoring tests for respirable fibres in the air during work on asbestos containing materials. It is a process designed to assess the effectiveness of control measures during a phase of work.
4 stage clearance air monitoring takes place after works moving or disturbing asbestos containing materials. An area is declared clear when airbourne fibres are measured below 0.01 fibres/mL. The four stages involve a visual check to ensure removal is finished, an inspection of the enclosed area for any obvious risks, air monitoring followed by laboratory analysis and finally further air monitoring after the enclosure has been dismantled.
Whatever your asbestos air testing, surveying or removal needs get the comprehensive service from a team with over 20 years experience in the industry; contact us today to arrange a quotation with one of our team.
