Asbestos has been prohibited in the UK since before the turn of the millennium. This was because cancer and many other respiratory conditions were found to be caused by exposure to it.

The material is still a danger for many home and business owners, even twenty years after it was banned. It can still be found in many buildings that were constructed before it was made illegal. However, today qualified asbestos professionals can remove it without any risk of harm.

Birmingham is one of the UK’s largest and most built-up cities. This means it sadly has a higher amount of asbestos than most locations. 

Over time buildings age and decay, they eventually need fixing once this happens. After work starts, asbestos can become exposed which is dangerous for all involved. Asbestos that exists within the building could become disrupted and exposed – something which is unsafe for those in the immediate vicinity.

Asbestos is perfectly safe when left alone. Its hidden and usually covered up so its particles cannot be inhaled. If, however, work begins before its detected, then problems may occur. This is why it needs detecting before this happens.

Potential asbestos needs to be located first. Then it can be removed by experienced professionals who know what they are dealing with. Detecting asbestos can be achieved by testing materials that are suspected to contain trace amounts of it - this is where our test kits for Asbestos-Sampling can help.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos can be characterised as various minerals that consist of a particular microscopic fibre group. The substance has been used extensively in the last 100 years in building projects throughout Britain – including large cities like Birmingham.

Considered a 'magic material' when used in insulation, flooring, roofing, ceilings and walls.  Asbestos was found to be so useful that construction companies used it to excess before they realised the substance was even remotely dangerous.

It became widely used on an industrial scale, being mixed with cement, roofing, walls, and so many places that in time, it became near impossible to pinpoint exactly where it could be.

Asbestos still exists today - and in high amounts. When an older building is subject to changes, an asbestos test should be done before any meaningful work starts.

Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?

Asbestos has been found to be extremely dangerous over time once inhaled. Sadly, it had already been added to a great number of buildings before this was discovered.

Tiny asbestos fibres can be inhaled and eventually can cause lung cancer and other devastating respiratory ailments. While asbestos that's still hidden away poses very little danger - the situation changes acutely once the microscopic particles are exposed. So, it's always recommended that a building owner knows where it is before building renovations start.

Asbestos-related illnesses may take many years to develop, but once they do, they can be life-threatening. Tradespeople, like plumbers and builders, are usually the ones who are most at risk. They are often first on the scene when asbestos is discovered. This is because they in their line of work, they are often put in situations which potentially exposes them to asbestos.

Even so, members of a household or business employees could also be in danger if work goes ahead, exposing asbestos particles to the air. If the building is adjusted, harmful microscopic fibres can affect anyone in the area. Therefore, before such work begins, it is so important to detect asbestos first.

How Do I Protect Against Asbestos?

Asbestos removal may be necessary, but it depends on the work and its existence needs to be confirmed first. Our Asbestos-Sampling test kits are designed specifically to help you locate it.

Our tests allow you to safely collect and send an asbestos sample for analysis. If the material you send us contains traces of asbestos, we can advise you of this. From here, removal can be arranged at your convenience. 

Touching or approaching asbestos can be dangerous; hence our kits come with detailed instructions and personal protective equipment. The equipment we provide is approved by our industry regulators. If you need further advice, we will gladly talk through the process by phone.

You can also find out more about how the process works by watching the video on our website. The good news is that the sample you take only needs to be a small one, so you'll be perfectly safe and protected. 

Next Stages

We will send the sample to our laboratory for testing. We'll update you as soon as we have a definitive answer. Ideally, this will be on the same day that we receive it your sample.

We will then offer our suggestions about what to do next if your sample tests are asbestos positive. We can also help you organise your asbestos removal and recommend a local firm to you.  

Arranging an Asbestos Survey

If you're unsure that the building in question contains any asbestos, then a complete survey could be a better option. This will help confirm if asbestos is present in your building. It's also much more in-depth than a testing kit – which is only designed to test a particular area.

Asbestos sampling do not carry out surveys ourselves. However, we can provide guidance for those who need some help. Or suggest a local company that can organise one for you.

This will allow you to identify if your building does actually contain asbestos. After a full survey, you will understand specifically where any asbestos could be located. It will also mean you won't have to conduct a sampling test either. The survey will tell you everything you need to know.

But if you're worried about asbestos traces in a certain part of your house or another building you own, then you can order one of our asbestos sampling test kits today.

We can help you identify whether your building contains asbestos or not. As well as where it may be, and finally, how to have it removed.