We’ve recently had several samples of Supalux board come into the Vintec laboratory. Supalux board is known to have a low prevalence for containing asbestos fibres, however, although seemingly rare, samples on occasion do test positive for asbestos. These particular Supalux samples piqued our interest as they did in fact test positive with Amosite asbestos…
HSG248 Asbestos: The Analysts Guide – impact on four stage clearance testing One of the hot topics among our clients is the new Analysts’ Guide and what effect this will have on four-stage clearance testing. When the first draft of the new Analysts Guide was originally issued for consultation, Vintec quickly adopted a number of…
Why our in-house asbestos laboratory gives Vintec the edge Vintec are fully UKAS accredited to the internationally recognised ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO17020 standards – covering surveying & sampling of asbestos containing materials and the subsequent asbestos identification. Having a UKAS accreditation underpins Vintec’s strong quality credentials. We also participate in the AIMS scheme (Asbestos in…
Four-hour time-weighted average tests Following the long-awaited release of the revised HSG248 Asbestos: The Analysts’ Guide Vintec are going to try to explain what it all means for you. First up is the much-misunderstood four-hour time-weighted average testing. Having spoken to several licensed asbestos removal contractors it sounds like the HSE are expecting these tests…
Air monitoring for asbestos, or air testing as it is sometimes known, detects the concentration of airborne fibres in an area by taking a sample and analysing with a microscope. Fibres are collected by drawing air through a special filter. Fibres are then counted manually using phase contrast optical microscopy (PCM), and the concentration of…
I recently employed a decorator to paint some rooms in my house. Before work started, we agreed exactly what the decorator had to do. Which rooms needed painting, the colours we wanted and the finish on the woodwork (always satin in our house!). The price was agreed and the job went ahead. We now have…
Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) vary in how easily they are broken up and how readily they release asbestos fibres into the air. Friability is the tendency for ACMs to break down. The more friable a material is, the more likely it will release fibres when disturbed, and the greater the risk of exposure. Certain ACMs…
Due to its prevalence, it’s important for to raise the awareness of the dangers of asbestos and asbestos exposure – fibres can very easily be cast into the air if the material it is contained within is disturbed or broken. More than 100,000 people worldwide die each year from occupational exposure to asbestos according to…
Vintec de-bunks five of the industry’s biggest asbestos myths. Asbestos Myth 1: Breathing in just one asbestos fibre can kill you Health risks are related to a person’s asbestos exposure – typically, the higher the exposure, the higher the risks. However, even occasional, low doses of asbestos can still be potentially dangerous. Iit’s important to…
If you think you have discovered or accidentally disturbed and released asbestos during the course of your work or a DIY project, you should immediately stop whatever it is you are doing and leave the area. Inform anyone around you what has happened and vacate the room/area. Put up a warning sign that clearly states…