Asbestos Surveys & Sampling In Bristol

Written by Tom Yates . Edited

Fact Checked by William Wright, NEBOSH

Since 1999, asbestos in the UK has been forbidden. This is because it was found to cause cancer and various other respiratory conditions.

For many home and business owners today, the material still poses a danger. That's because it could still be found in many buildings that were constructed before it was banned. Today, asbestos can be removed by qualified professionals without posing any risk at all. 

Like all major UK cities, Bristol contains a high amount of asbestos. In 2019 Bristol City Council confirmed that they were "on top of the asbestos monster." They confirmed that they managed over 28,000 homes in the city and that "many of them contain asbestos." 

But what about all the other buildings in the city not managed by the local government? Private homes and workplaces also contain the substance, meaning building owners may need to resolve the issue themselves without council support. 

Buildings age and degrade, so they typically require renovation work as they do. This means any asbestos contained could be disturbed, then present a danger to anyone nearby.

Before being disturbed, asbestos actually poses little danger to the occupants of the building. But if it is, then problems can arise, so it's often wise to check if asbestos exists before any adjustments or significant building renovations begin. 

This way, any potential hazards are minimised or removed entirely. However, potential asbestos needs to be found first. Asbestos can be safely removed by certified experts once located. 

Locating asbestos can be accomplished by testing materials that are believed to contain traces of it – this is where our Asbestos-Sampling testing kits can help.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos can be defined as various minerals consisting of a specific microscopic grouping of fibres. The substance was used extensively throughout building projects in the United Kingdom in the last hundred years.

Asbestos was referred to as a 'magic material' and was used in insulation, flooring, roofing, ceilings and walls. Essentially, construction companies found it so useful that they used it as much as possible.

It has been mixed with cement, roofing, walls and so many other substances, that in time, it became tough to know where it had been used compared to where it had not.

Asbestos still exists in many buildings throughout Bristol today. If an older building is due to undergo modifications, it should really be tested for asbestos before work commences. 

What is Dangerous about Asbestos?

Asbestos was discovered to be extremely hazardous if inhaled, despite being added to countless buildings throughout the United Kingdom, including all major cities like Bristol.

Microscopic fibres from asbestos can be inhaled and can cause lung cancer over time, as well as other debilitating respiratory disorders.  Of course, asbestos, which is in excellent condition and remains undisturbed, poses little danger. But before renovation work begins, it's always sensible to know where it is.

Some diseases associated with asbestos may take years to develop. Trade professionals are most at risk, such as plumbers, carpenters, and builders. This is because they are potentially very close to asbestos in their line of work.

However, household/business members can also be at risk. If the building has been modified, then the harmful microscopic fibres can affect anyone nearby. This is why it is so vital to detect asbestos in older buildings before such work begins.

How Do I Protect Against Asbestos?

Removal of asbestos is may be essential, but first, it needs identifying. Our testing kits from Asbestos-Sampling are specifically designed to help you do this in a few simple steps.

Our tests allow you to safely take a sample of material suspected of asbestos and send it to us for analysis. If we find any traces of asbestos in the material, we will be able to advise you accordingly. Then you can arrange removal. 

It can be dangerous to touch or go near asbestos; this is why so our kits come with detailed instructions and personal protective equipment. Our industry regulators verify and recommend the equipment we provide. We'll gladly talk to you through the process by telephone if you need more advice.

By watching the video on our website, you can also learn more about how the process works. The good news is that the sample you take only needs to be the size of a coin.

Next Steps

We'll send the sample to our lab for analysis. Once we know the results, we'll inform you as soon as possible. We try to test your sample on the same day that we receive it.

We'll then offer our advice on what to do next if your sample tests positive for asbestos. We can also help you arrange your removal of asbestos and recommend you to a local company.

Arranging a Survey to Detect Asbestos

If you are unsure where asbestos might be in your building, then a full survey may be more appropriate than a sample test kit. This will help you confirm if your building contains asbestos or not. And where it may be hiding.

Asbestos-Sampling does not organise surveys, but we can provide those who need some help arranging one with some guidance. Or recommend a local business that can arrange the survey.

This will make it possible for you to identify if your building truly does contain asbestos. You'll know exactly where any asbestos is located after the survey, so you won't need to perform a sampling test through us after this. 

However, you can still order one of our Asbestos-Sampling testing kits today if you are worried that your home or business may contain traces of asbestos, and you have an understanding of where it might be.

Together we can identify if there is asbestos in your building, where it is, and how to remove it safely.