Asbestos Testing

Asbestos fibres can only be identified through the use of carefully controlled testing procedures.

The various forms of asbestos exhibit distinctive optical properties, most notably the refractive index. Being crystalline materials, each form has more than one refractive index, depending on the direction from which it is observed.

This difference in refractive index is called birefringence. Examination of a sample under polarised light enhances this difference

Another diagnostic tool is dispersion staining.

Fibres from the sample are immersed in a liquid of similar refractive index. Different wavelength dispersions are shown depending on the direction of the fibres (either along the fibres or across).

There are a number of other tests for examining samples for asbestos in bulk samples. However for routine purposes, the above examinations are usually sufficient to identify positively whether asbestos is present and its type.

Analysis by an accredited testing laboratory is the only way to know for certain whether a material contains asbestos.

The state of the art testing facilities offered by EMS Vectra N Jones through its partners enables rapid, cost effective analysis of samples and currently allows for...

• UK wide service
• Volumetric discounts
• Emergency and on-going response
• Service 'In-Tune' with industry needs
• 48 hour standard turnaround on results
• Immediate and 24 hour service