Soil Sampling

Asbestos and other dangerous substances can get into soil in various ways, such as, demolition of buildings with asbestos materials, illegal dumping, or past activities on a site and inadequate clean up. 

Asbestos can appear in soil in different forms, such as broken sheet, loose fibres or asbestos insulation. Sometimes, asbestos fibres may not be visible to the naked eye, but they can still be a risk to people nearby and can spread if not properly addressed. 

Bulk Material Sampling

We will attend site and inspect the ground or excavations for visible suspect materials and take samples to confirm the presence of asbestos.

Asbestos in soils

We will attend site and take samples of the soil. These soil samples are then tested for the presence of asbestos fibres and a percentage of asbestos in the soil can be calculated.

Asbestos in soil usually doesn't move around much, but if the soil is disturbed, it can release fibres, posing risks to people.  

Traditional asbestos sampling focuses on the type of asbestos containing materials, not the percentage of asbestos. However, for those dealing with contaminated land, there are legal obligations. Regulations including the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and Environment Agency rules that require employers to assess potential asbestos exposure and measure the amount of asbestos in soil for proper waste handling and human health assessments. 

Quantifying the amount of asbestos in the soil is crucial for assessing occupational risk and deciding how to remove, dispose of, or reuse the soil. Studies have shown that the quantity of asbestos in soil is linked to the risk of releasing airborne fibres during work, endangering people and the environment. 

To meet regulatory requirements and properly assess soil for asbestos, a structured process is needed to identify if asbestos is present, what type it is, and how much is there. Analysing soil provides an accurate measurement of asbestos fibres as a percentage of the total mass, helping evaluate occupational risk and guide removal, disposal, or reuse.