Asbestos Surveys & Sampling In Liverpool

Written by Tom Yates . Edited

Fact Checked by William Wright, NEBOSH

Asbestos was made illegal in the UK after it was found to cause cancer, not to mention a range of other nasty illnesses that develop over time.

Asbestos still represents a danger to many people today, if they happen to live or work in older buildings. Particularly those that were built before the substance was outlawed. However, this risk can be eliminated by qualified professionals specially trained in asbestos removal.   

Buildings need maintenance work as they get older, and these renovations risk disturbing any asbestos that may be present. Up until this point, the substance is mostly harmless. But as older buildings begin to be modified, action needs to be taken to ensure its inhabitants' safety.    

In Liverpool, lots of asbestos is undisturbed, which ensures that it presents little risk to a building's inhabitants. But it is sensible to check if asbestos exists before modifications or repair work starts, and if it does, remove it to make sure any possible danger is mitigated.

But it needs to be located first. Trained professionals can safely remove asbestos once it is, but the first move is to detect it. This can be achieved by testing materials suspected of containing asbestos, which can be done by using one of our Asbestos-Sampling testing kits. 

What's Exactly Is Asbestos?

Asbestos refers to a set of minerals consisting of a specific set of microscopic fibres. The material was commonly used in building projects in the UK throughout the 20th century.

Asbestos was called the 'magic material' by those in the building trade. It was used primarily in insulation, flooring, roofing, ceilings and walls. The product was popular because it contained fireproof, non-conductive and insulating properties. This resulted in construction firms using it anywhere they could - unaware of the danger.

It was blended into cement, insulation and other materials in such high quantities that it still exists today. This is why tracking it down and removing is still going on twenty years later. In time, it became so widely used that tracking it down for removal became a mammoth task. But a necessary one.

Today, many of these older buildings are due renovation or repair work - and any of them could potentially contain asbestos. Asbestos which will have been safely hidden away within the masonry, but now risks becoming disturbed - which is where the danger lies. 

As more and more buildings start to show signs of age and deterioration, the more they need to be tested for asbestos. This is why asbestos seems like it's becoming a bigger problem today than it was before - it's not. Just many of the buildings that contain are beginning to need work, bringing the problem to light.

Why Is Asbestos Considered Harmful?

When inhaled, asbestos can be extremely harmful. This tends to happen once asbestos is disturbed, where it can then release thousands of toxic microscopic fibres into the air. 

The fibres can be inhaled which can cause long-term and irreparable harm to those who do. Asbestos, which remains undisturbed, poses little danger to health. But before renovation work begins, it's essential to know if asbestos is present and where it could be.

Trade workers are most at risk of inhaling asbestos particles. Plumbers, carpenters, and builders risk coming into contact with asbestos more than most due to the nature of their work. Asbestos-related illness symptoms can also take years to develop in those that have come into contact with it. 

But household/business workers and anyone nearby exposed asbestos may also be at risk if they get too close. It's therefore wise to have it extracted once evidence of its presence is suspected. As all buildings ultimately require maintenance eventually

How Do I Protect My Home/Business?

Removal of asbestos is just part of the challenge; recognising where it is located is the first step. Our testing kits for Asbestos-Sampling are specially designed to help you do that - providing you with clarity and peace of mind. 

They allow you to safely take a sample of any material suspected to contain asbestos and securely send it to us for analysis. This way, if asbestos does exist within the material, we can inform you soon after.

It can be unsafe to interact with asbestos, so our kits are sent with full instructions and personal protective equipment to keep you completely safe. Our industry regulators approve of the PPE we use too. 

The instructions are clear and easy to follow. We'll personally talk you through the process by telephone if you need further help.

By viewing this video on our website, you will also learn more about how the process works. The good news is that the sample should only be the size of a small coin, meaning you won't need to interact with much potential asbestos for long.

What's Next?

We'll send your sample to our lab for review once we receive it. We know you'll want to know the results soon, so we'll endeavour to test your sample on the same day we receive it.

We'll then provide our guidance on what to do next - especially if your sample tests positive for asbestos. We can also help you plan the removal of asbestos and refer you to a local company to come and remove it at your convenience. 

Arranging a Survey for Asbestos

If you're unsure if any asbestos exists in your building or know it does, but are unsure where, then a full asbestos survey may be more suitable - instead of a sample test kit. This will help you verify if your building contains asbestos, and if it does, where it is likely to be.

Asbestos-Sampling does not organise surveys ourselves, but we are happy to refer you to a company that can. This will make it easier for you to identify whether or not your building contains asbestos as well as knowing exactly where. 

Order one of our Asbestos-Sampling test kits today if you are worried that your home or company might contain traces of asbestos. Together we will determine whether there is asbestos in your building, where it is, and how to extract it safely.