{"id":3970,"date":"2021-04-29T09:00:56","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T08:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casaenvironmental.co.uk\/?p=3970"},"modified":"2021-05-18T14:15:37","modified_gmt":"2021-05-18T13:15:37","slug":"asbestos-air-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casaenvironmental.co.uk\/asbestos-air-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"Asbestos Air Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Asbestos Air Testing<\/h1>\n

Asbestos air monitoring<\/a> is an important process that takes place to determine airborne concentration of asbestos fibres following removal works or if asbestos has been damaged.\u00a0 The process provides proof that an area is safe for occupation or otherwise.<\/p>\n

If any asbestos in your building is still intact it is completely safe but should be monitored on a regular basis to ensure it has not deteriorated or become damaged. \u00a0but left alone. If you suspect that asbestos might be in a hazardous condition you should contact UKAS accredited asbestos air monitoring professionals<\/a> \u00a0to determine what remediation measures are required.<\/p>\n

Our experts at Casa Environmental Services have put together this guide to run you through the basics of asbestos air testing ,how tests are done and when to seek help.<\/p>\n

How Does Asbestos Get into The Air?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The most common way for asbestos to enter the body is through breathing. This is because tiny fibres are released when asbestos is damaged. These fibres, if inhaled or ingested, can have serious health implications.<\/p>\n

Asbestos can be damaged in a variety of ways. Most commonly through renovation or by accident. Friable asbestos such as thermal insulation, sprayed coatings and insulation boards crumble easily. These types of material are far more likely to suffer damage over non-friable asbestos such as floor tiles or cement based products.<\/p>\n

Once released fibres can remain airborne and respirable for quite long periods of time. Once settled these fibres can easily become airborne again as a result of air movement or mechanical disturbance and can therefore remain dangerous for extended periods of time.<\/p>\n

What are the Different Types of Asbestos Air Monitoring?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are five different types of tests that are undertaken;<\/p>\n

Background Monitoring<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is undertaken to establish the respirable fibre concentrations prior to any activity which may lead to airborne asbestos contamination, to ensure that the risk is not being increased as a result of the activity. If fibre levels are found to be elevated, prior to asbestos works, consideration should be given to pre cleaning or extending the scope of works. If the contamination is not deemed to be asbestos, this should be taken into consideration when assessing future air monitoring results, such as leak tests. This type of test can also be carried out to check for airborne fibres in situations where it is suspected that asbestos fibres may have been released e.g. by accidental damage or inadvertent disturbance of asbestos materials.<\/p>\n

Leak Monitoring<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is performed outside the enclosure whilst asbestos work is in progress to check that the environmental control systems are adequate. It is also used to verify that the works are properly contained and that asbestos fibres are not being released into adjacent areas. This is of paramount importance if the adjacent areas are occupied during the works.<\/p>\n

Reassurance Monitoring<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is monitoring which is undertaken following work on or near asbestos to confirm that the airborne asbestos fibre levels are less than 0.01 f\/cm3 , for example, as part of the 4th stage of the \u20184-stage clearance process\u2019<\/p>\n

4-Stage Clearance Monitoring<\/strong><\/p>\n

The four-stage clearance test is held to prove that an area is clear of asbestos and safe to enter. The four stages are:<\/p>\n