Tyne Asbestos Removal Ltd provides fast, accurate asbestos testing across Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham, and throughout the North East. Our UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis identifies asbestos fibers in building materials, giving you definitive answers before disturbing suspect materials.
Bulk Material Sampling & Testing
Bulk material testing identifies whether a specific building material contains asbestos fibers. Our qualified samplers carefully collect small representative samples (typically 2-3 cm²) from suspect materials using wet methods to suppress fiber release. Common materials tested include ceiling tiles, floor tiles, textured coatings (Artex), pipe lagging, roof sheets, soffits, fascias, insulation boards, wall panels, and adhesives. Each sample is placed in a sealed container, labeled with a unique reference number, and transported to a UKAS-accredited laboratory. The laboratory analyzes the sample using polarized light microscopy (PLM) with dispersion staining to identify asbestos fiber types and determine the percentage concentration. Results are typically available within 3-5 working days, with rush services offering same-day or next-day turnaround for urgent projects requiring immediate clarity.
UKAS-Accredited Laboratory Analysis
All asbestos samples are analyzed by laboratories accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. UKAS accreditation provides independent verification that the laboratory maintains the highest technical competence and quality standards. Laboratories use polarized light microscopy (PLM), the internationally recognized standard method for asbestos identification in bulk materials. PLM with dispersion staining can identify all six regulated asbestos types: chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), crocidolite (blue asbestos), tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite. For complex or trace level samples, laboratories may use additional techniques including scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) or X-ray diffraction (XRD). Laboratory certificates state the asbestos type, percentage concentration, and whether the material is classified as asbestos-containing (≥1% asbestos by weight under UK regulations).
Same-Day & Next-Day Rush Testing
Standard asbestos testing turnaround is 3-5 working days from sample receipt at the laboratory. However, urgent projects often require faster results to avoid costly work delays. We offer expedited testing services with same-day results (sample collected in the morning, results by end of day) and next-day results (sample collected one day, results by lunchtime the next working day). Rush testing is ideal for refurbishment projects with tight schedules, emergency situations where asbestos has been unexpectedly discovered, property transactions requiring rapid asbestos clearance, and contractors needing immediate confirmation before proceeding with works. Rush testing uses the same UKAS-accredited PLM analysis—only the priority and turnaround change. Additional fees apply for expedited services, but the cost is often negligible compared to the savings from avoiding project delays and keeping contractors on site.
Air Monitoring & Clearance Testing
Air testing measures airborne asbestos fiber concentrations to verify safe conditions. Background air monitoring establishes baseline fiber levels before asbestos work begins. Leak testing during removal works checks for fiber escape from the enclosure. Reassurance air monitoring confirms fiber levels remain safe in occupied areas near asbestos work. Four-stage clearance testing is the critical final verification following licensed asbestos removal—an independent UKAS-accredited analyst collects air samples at four stages (visual inspection, initial air test, disturbance test, final air test) to confirm fiber concentrations are below the clearance indicator of 0.01 fibers per milliliter (f/ml). Only after achieving satisfactory clearance certification can the enclosure be dismantled and the area reoccupied. Personal air monitoring can also be conducted to measure worker exposure levels during asbestos work, ensuring compliance with the Control Limit (0.1 f/ml time-weighted average).
Pre-Refurbishment Testing Services
Before starting refurbishment or renovation works in any building constructed or refurbished before the year 2000, testing should be conducted to identify asbestos-containing materials in the areas to be disturbed. We provide targeted pre-refurbishment testing, collecting samples from suspect materials in the work areas and obtaining rapid laboratory confirmation. This is more focused and cost-effective than a full Management Survey when you only need to know about specific materials. Testing before works prevents contractors unknowingly disturbing asbestos, ensures proper removal planning and costing, allows HSE notification if required, and avoids project delays from unexpected asbestos discovery mid-project. Test results inform the scope of asbestos removal needed and help contractors price works accurately.
Property Purchase & Sale Testing
Buyers and sellers of older properties often require asbestos testing for peace of mind and liability purposes. Home buyers can request testing before completion to confirm suspect materials are asbestos-free or identify removal costs to negotiate the purchase price. Sellers may choose to test and document materials as non-asbestos to provide assurance to buyers and support the sale. Estate agents and property developers use testing to address buyer concerns and fulfill disclosure obligations. Landlords purchasing rental properties benefit from testing to understand asbestos management responsibilities before acquiring the property. Testing provides definitive laboratory evidence that can be included in property documentation, protecting both buyers and sellers from future disputes or liability. We provide fast turnaround testing to accommodate tight property transaction timescales.
Understanding what type of asbestos is present helps determine the appropriate removal method, licensing requirements, and associated risks.
Chrysotile (White Asbestos)
Chrysotile, or white asbestos, was the most commonly used asbestos type in the UK, accounting for approximately 95% of asbestos products. Chrysotile is a serpentine mineral with curly, flexible fibers. It was used extensively in asbestos cement products (roofing sheets, soffits, guttering, wall cladding), asbestos insulating board (AIB), textured coatings (Artex), vinyl floor tiles, gaskets, rope seals, and sprayed coatings. Despite being considered "less dangerous" than amphibole asbestos types, chrysotile is still a proven carcinogen causing mesothelioma and lung cancer. All chrysotile products are regulated under CAR 2012 and require proper management or licensed removal depending on material type and condition. Chrysotile fibers can penetrate deep into lung tissue despite their flexibility, making them a serious health hazard when disturbed and inhaled.
Amosite (Brown Asbestos)
Amosite, or brown asbestos, is an amphibole asbestos with straight, needle-like fibers that are particularly hazardous when inhaled. Amosite was widely used in sprayed coatings for fire protection and thermal insulation, asbestos insulating board (AIB), pipe lagging and boiler insulation, fire doors and partition walls, and ceiling tiles. Amosite fibers are more durable and resistant to heat than chrysotile, making it popular for high-temperature applications. However, these same properties make amosite fibers more dangerous—they persist longer in lung tissue and are more likely to cause mesothelioma and asbestosis. Any material containing amosite requires careful handling, and removal typically requires HSE licensing due to the high asbestos content and friable nature of most amosite products. Amosite was banned in the UK in 1985, but remains present in many buildings constructed before this date.
Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)
Crocidolite, or blue asbestos, is the most dangerous form of asbestos due to its extremely fine, straight fibers that easily penetrate lung tissue and cause disease. Crocidolite was banned earlier than other types (1985 in the UK) due to its severe health risks. It was used in sprayed coatings (particularly in commercial buildings and industrial sites from the 1960s-1970s), asbestos cement products, pipe insulation, and some asbestos insulating boards. Even brief exposure to crocidolite can cause mesothelioma decades later. Any material confirmed to contain crocidolite requires immediate attention and licensed removal by specialist contractors with appropriate controls. Due to its extreme hazard, crocidolite removal involves the most stringent containment measures, continuous air monitoring, and extensive decontamination procedures. Fortunately, crocidolite is less common than chrysotile but must be treated with the utmost caution when encountered.
Tremolite, Actinolite & Anthophyllite
Tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite are amphibole asbestos types that were rarely used commercially in the UK but can occur as contaminants in chrysotile products and naturally in some minerals. Tremolite is occasionally found as a trace contaminant in chrysotile asbestos and talc products. Actinolite can occur in vermiculite insulation and some construction materials. Anthophyllite is the rarest type and was seldom used in UK buildings. While these types were not manufactured into products intentionally, their presence as contaminants means they can appear in laboratory analysis results. Like all asbestos types, they are regulated carcinogens, and any material containing these fibers must be managed appropriately. Laboratory analysis using PLM can distinguish between all six asbestos types based on their optical properties, refractive indices, and crystal structure, providing definitive identification for proper risk assessment and removal planning.
Asbestos Content & UK Legal Thresholds
In the UK, a material is legally classified as "asbestos-containing" if it contains 1% or more asbestos by weight. This threshold is defined in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and determines whether the material is regulated. Laboratory analysis reports the asbestos concentration as a percentage—common concentrations range from 5-15% in asbestos cement products, 15-85% in asbestos insulating board (AIB), and up to 100% in pure asbestos products like rope seals or lagging. Materials with trace asbestos (<1%) are not legally classified as ACMs under UK regulations, though some organizations choose to manage them cautiously. The asbestos percentage affects removal complexity, waste classification, and disposal costs. Higher concentrations generally mean more friable products (easier to crumble and release fibers) requiring more stringent controls during removal.
Mixed Asbestos Types in Products
Some building materials contain multiple asbestos types in combination. For example, asbestos insulating board (AIB) often contains both chrysotile and amosite, or occasionally all three main types (chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite). Sprayed coatings may contain chrysotile mixed with amosite or crocidolite. Laboratory analysis identifies all asbestos types present and their relative proportions. When multiple types are detected, the material is managed according to the most hazardous type present—even small amounts of amosite or crocidolite in a predominantly chrysotile product classifies it as containing amphibole asbestos, requiring appropriate controls. Understanding the specific asbestos types present allows proper risk assessment, selection of appropriate removal methods, correct waste classification for disposal, and accurate costing for removal works based on licensing requirements and containment complexity.
