Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in construction and manufacturing due to its durability, heat resistance, and insulation properties. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Given these health risks, the use of asbestos has been heavily regulated and phased out in many countries around the world.
Unfortunately, asbestos-containing materials can still be found in many older buildings and homes, posing a potential danger to those who come into contact with them.
Asbestos air testing is an important tool for identifying the presence of asbestos fibres in the air to help prevent exposure to the harmful effects of this dangerous substance.
In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of asbestos and the importance of asbestos air testing. Finally, we will also talk about asbestos air testing prices and how to find a professional asbestos surveyor.
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What are the dangers of asbestos?
Asbestos is a hazardous mineral that can break down into microscopically thin fibres that can remain airborne for days after they are disturbed. Exposure to these fibres can cause serious diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
No amount of asbestos is considered safe, and even very small amounts can result in mesothelioma. Symptoms can take up to 30-40 years to develop, and regular chest X-rays and other tests can detect early signs of lung disease caused by asbestos. Family members of asbestos workers who are exposed to asbestos fibres carried home on work clothes can also develop these diseases.
What is Asbestos Air Monitoring?
Asbestos air monitoring evaluates the respirable asbestos fibres in the atmosphere to help check the exposure and efficacies of the various control measures used. This is usually done in places where asbestos-containing products are in a bad state, having the ability to release asbestos fibres into the atmosphere, or when materials containing asbestos as one of its component elements are evacuated.
Where asbestos air monitoring is the sole aim of an examination, only respirable asbestos fibres (fibres of less than 3 µm in width, greater than 5 µm long and have a length-to-width ratio which is greater than 3 to 1) can be rated as being in a dangerous state.
When Should Asbestos Air Monitoring be Conducted?
Asbestos air monitoring should be conducted during and after any asbestos-related activity, such as repair or removal. The analysis is quick and can be performed on-site for rapid determination of air concentrations of asbestos fibres.
The sampling procedure involves drawing a known volume of air through a filter, and the analytical procedure involves counting asbestos fibres using Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) at 400X. PCM is considered the method of choice for measuring occupational exposure to asbestos.
In addition, it is important to monitor each potential source of asbestos emissions from any part of the facility, including air cleaning devices, process equipment, and buildings.
What Is Involved In Asbestos Air Tests
Asbestos air tests involve gathering a gasoline sample in the atmosphere from the package and using it back to the lab for further compound testing. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, no one needs to be subjected to more than 0.1 fibres of asbestos per millilitre of air measured over four hours; air testing can be used to ensure the degree of asbestos is safe. There are four primary types of asbestos air testing for traces of asbestos and asbestos fibres:
Background Asbestos Air Testing Cost
Background asbestos air testing/monitoring is concerned with the atmospheric tests carried out to evaluate respirable fibres before carrying out activities that can distort the operation. It is likely to be carried out to ascertain the presence and function of some other fibres in the atmosphere.
The cost of background asbestos air testing varies depending on the type of testing required and the extent of the work to be done. In the UK, the cost of asbestos air testing services typically ranges from £200 to £700. However, it is important to note that it is always best to consult a certified and accredited asbestos testing company for accurate pricing and reliable results.
Exposure/Flow Asbestos Air Testing Cost
Exposure asbestos air monitoring involves carrying out a comprehensive examination of the atmospheric breathing zone to affirm a person’s likely vulnerability to respirable asbestos fibres. The vulnerability of a person can be evaluated by a monitoring and testing model created to check for comparison with the national exposure standard.
The cost of one sample for asbestos air testing in the UK usually comes to £6.5 plus the cost of the testing kit. Exposure/flow asbestos air testing, which is one of the primary types of tests, falls under the category of personal air testing. So, the cost for the exposure/flow asbestos air testing may vary based on the provider and the specific requirements of the test.
Controlled Asbestos Air Monitoring Cost
Controlled asbestos air monitoring is an important process that involves extracting air samples during the removal of asbestos-containing materials to ensure that the air is safe to breathe.
The cost of asbestos air testing starts from £250 or more. Factors that affect the cost of asbestos monitoring include whether the job is in the public or private sector, the complexity of the project, the type and size of the building, and the environmental laws and regulations.
Clearance/Reassurance Air Testing Cost
Clearance asbestos air monitoring cross-examines the atmosphere to evaluate the degree of airborne asbestos fibres present in an environment, consequently, after eradicating the asbestos from materials. When the airborne asbestos fibre rate is below 0.01 fibres/mL, the environment is destroyed. The cost of clearance/reassurance air testing starts from £50 per square meter.
Asbestos Air Testing Cost
If you suspect that your property may contain asbestos, it is advisable to have an asbestos air test carried out to assess the risk. The average cost of asbestos air testing in the UK ranges from £60 to £300, with the exact price being dependent on the size of the property and the type of test required. The cost of a basic background air test is around £60, while an asbestos survey, which includes air testing, costs approximately £250 on average.
You can purchase a simple asbestos air testing kit for around £30, but note that the cost of one sample usually comes to £6.5 plus the cost of the testing kit. It is important to ensure that the professional you hire to carry out asbestos air testing is accredited by a body such as the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), as mentioned in.
For much more particular asbestos air testing prices tailored to your own house and asbestos levels, you need to get quotes from at least three local asbestos experts.
Asbestos Air Testing Kit Prices
Most asbestos air testing companies offer the option to purchase an asbestos Self Sampling Kit, which will allow you to take the sample yourself and send it to them. If you have not done it before, do not worry, as there are always detailed instructions and even step-by-step guides.
The prices of asbestos air testing kits vary depending on the type of kit chosen, whether it’s part of a larger survey or requires removal and the location. Simple kits can cost as little as £30, while more advanced kits can cost up to £300.
The initial cost of purchasing a single asbestos testing kit is £39.95, with each subsequent sample test priced at £10. However, the UK’s leading asbestos home testing kit can be ordered for only £19.95, which includes the cost of analysis, consumables required for taking the samples, and sending them to the UKAS accredited laboratory.
The air testing kit’s price depends on the number of samples that you want to take. The following table is indicative of the average asbestos air testing kit prices.
| 1 Sample Kit: | £39.50 | 6 Sample Kit: | £89.50 |
| 2 Sample Kit: | £49.50 | 7 Sample Kit: | £99.50 |
| 3 Sample Kit: | £59.50 | 8 Sample Kit: | £109.50 |
| 4 Sample Kit: | £69.50 | 9 Sample Kit: | £119.50 |
| 5 Sample Kit: | £79.50 | 10 Sample Kit: | £129.50 |
What are the symptoms of asbestos exposure?
Asbestos exposure can lead to a chronic lung disease called asbestosis. The symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, chest tightness or pain, dry and crackling sounds in your lungs when you inhale, and fingertips and toes that appear wider and rounder than normal.
These symptoms usually appear many years after initial exposure and can range from mild to severe. There is no cure for asbestosis, and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Smoking can increase the progression of the disease, and people with asbestosis are at increased risk of developing lung cancer or malignant mesothelioma.
Can asbestosis be cured?
No, there is currently no cure for asbestosis. However, there are treatments available that can help manage the symptoms of the disease. These treatments include medication, breathing treatments, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and surgery. Furthermore, lifestyle changes such as avoiding exposure to asbestos and irritants, quitting smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, and avoiding pollutants may ease the symptoms.
It’s important to note that people with asbestosis have a higher risk of developing other serious conditions like lung cancer. Compensation may be available for those diagnosed with asbestosis through governmental compensation or a civil claim against previous employers. Support services are also available for people with asbestosis.
FAQ
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibres which can cause scarring in the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and an increased risk of lung cancer. Symptoms of asbestosis may take many years to appear after the initial asbestos exposure. There is currently no cure for asbestosis. Therefore, It is important to avoid exposure to asbestos to prevent the development of asbestosis and other related diseases.
One promising new treatment for mesothelioma is immunotherapy, which uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. This treatment involves administering drugs that help the immune system identify and attack cancer cells more effectively. Immunotherapy has shown some success in clinical trials and may be used in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.
The average life expectancy for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma is typically 4 to 18 months, although a few patients have survived for over 10 years. The current survival rate for the disease is 10% over a period of five years. This information is commonly accepted in professional circles.
Asbestos fibres can stay suspended in the air for up to 72 hours after being disturbed. The small size of asbestos fibres makes them easily resurrected by air movements, even after 48-72 hours. Asbestos fibres are not visible to the naked eye, and there are six different types of asbestos, all of which pose a hazard to human health. It is important to have asbestos removed professionally and conduct an air test afterwards to ensure air quality is habitable.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on the type of cancer. Five common signs are chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal swelling, unexplained weight loss, and anaemia.
References
- https://householdquotes.co.uk/asbestos-air-testing-kit-costs/
- https://wisetradesmen.com/asbestos-air-testing-cost-guide-how-much-does-asbestos-air-testing-cost/
- https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1001AppB
- https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/asbestosfaqs_0.pdf
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-61/subpart-M
- https://www.oracleasbestos.com/blog/guide-to-asbestos-air-testing/
- https://www.asbestosspecialist.co.uk/how-long-does-asbestos-stay-airborne-after-disturbance/