UKAS accredited quantification of asbestos in soils

The IOM laboratory is pleased to announce an extension to the scope of our UKAS accreditation to include the quantification of asbestos in soils. This extension covers the quantification of asbestos in samples where it is possible to pick out discrete pieces of asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) and also where asbestos is present as dispersed fibre in the soil. Our limit of detection for this analysis is 0.001%.

IOM analyst examines asbestos in soil sample.

The quantitative analysis of asbestos in soil is a growing part of IOM’s lab business. Currently we have major long term contracts in place for the analysis of garden soils from housing estates and of soils from major redevelopment sites. We are also undertaking analysis of soils for numerous smaller projects.

Asbestos is very different from other soil contaminants. Due to its use in all sorts of buildings, it can turn up in almost any ground, not just areas that have been used industrially. It can occur in discrete fragments which may be obvious to the naked eye but also as finely dispersed fibres within soils that require microscopic examination to detect their presence. The degradation of ACM’s within soil to release loose fibre leads to an increase rather than reduction of hazard through time.

In addition to providing an analytical service for asbestos in soils, the IOM can also undertake soil surveys specifically for asbestos, advise on sampling strategy and undertake risk assessments in order to help clients determine whether there is a Significant Possibility of Significant Harm (SPOSH). We can also undertake monitoring for airborne fibre at properties where asbestos has been found in soil. This includes the analysis of airborne samples by SEM in order to enable the confident distinction of asbestos from other airborne fibre.