Identifying and Analysing Asbestos in Bulk Building Materials

1 Nov 2018

Identifying and Analysing Asbestos in Bulk Building Materials

When asbestos is present in any given building, it’s not always easy to identify it with the naked eye, even if the person viewing it is highly trained in doing so. That’s because asbestos is sometimes mixed in with bulk building materials, which can be just as hazardous to health if disturbed and then inhaled, as standard asbestos. Standard asbestos surveys aren’t able to detect this kind of asbestos mix, which is where laboratory analysis comes into play.

When required, before any asbestos removal has taken place, a sample of the bulk building material is sent to the lab where it is viewed under up to 40x magnification by a stereomicroscope. This is just the first stage of the process, as the results it produces are just an indication of what type of asbestos fibre is present.

The next stage, as set down under asbestos regulations, is when the sample is then analysed using polarized light microscopy (PLM), which reveals whether it belongs to the crocidolite, amosite or chrysotile category of asbestos. This involves treating the asbestos sample with a stained liquid, which helps to analyse its optical properties.

The PLM and stereomicroscope methods combined are typically sufficient to arrive at a conclusive result, but on occasion, a further electron microscopy or X-ray diffraction test is run.

Awareness of Threat
The awareness of the existence of asbestos in this form is key in this matter, as understanding that asbestos cannot always be identified by sight is important to keeping employees safe. If there is any suspicion that this kind of bulk building asbestos material is present, lab tests must be conducted to ascertain the threat present. Failure to do so puts everyone in the vicinity at risk.

At OHSS Safety consultants, we offer asbestos abatement and asbestos removal and disposal services, as well as individual and group training in asbestos identification and matters relating to asbestos management. If you’d like to find out more about everything we do, take a look at our website www.ohss.ie or give us a call now on 01 6905907.

Asbestos is a very real and present danger in buildings all around the world and only by understanding what risk that represents, can businesses hope to keep their employees safe whilst at work. It’s a very real case of being safe rather than sorry.

Thanks for reading our blog and we look forward to taking your call.

 


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