Staying safe from asbestos exposure is a bit of a balancing act, considering New Zealand’s history with this dangerous material. After a few decades of common use in the construction industry, asbestos – in the form of asbestos-containing-materials – has found its way into old homes and buildings all over the country.

The most important step of dealing with potential asbestos exposure is to know where deposits are in a building. To do that, you need something called asbestos sampling. Today, let’s explore why asbestos is so dangerous, how asbestos sampling keeps people safe, and the types of asbestos sampling you might require for different circumstances.

Why is Asbestos So Dangerous?

Asbestos was widely used in New Zealand’s building materials throughout the 20th century due to its resistance to fire, heat, and corrosion. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until later that the dangers of asbestos became widely known.

The danger lies in the tiny fibres. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed (through demolition, renovation, or even natural deterioration) they can release microscopic asbestos fibres into the air. Once inhaled, these fibres can lodge in the lungs and remain there permanently, potentially leading to serious health issues down the line.

If you’re curious, we explore the dangerous of asbestos contamination further here.

How Asbestos Sampling Keeps People Safe

The key to stopping unsuspecting occupants or workers from asbestos exposure is to identify potential sources of asbestos before the disturbed fibres can become airborne. That’s where asbestos sampling comes in.

Asbestos sampling involves using industry-established sampling methods on suspected asbestos-containing materials, so we can test them in a certified laboratory setting. This lets us help you to:

• Confirm whether asbestos is present before you commence renovation or demolition.
• Assess the friability of the asbestos in your building and its potential for danger if disturbed.
• Comply with the New Zealand Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, which place plenty of obligations on property owners and employers to manage potential asbestos safely.

Whether you’re concerned about an old textured ceiling or you own a commercial building with a few suspicious patches of insulation, asbestos sampling provides the knowledge needed to take the best next steps. Removal, encapsulation, or safe ongoing management.

Types of Asbestos Sampling

Here’s the thing: asbestos sampling is an umbrella term that encompasses several different methods applicable to various situations. There are three common types: air, bulk, and soil. Let’s unpack those a little further.

Air

Air sampling is designed to measure any asbestos fibres that might have entered the air. It is not generally intended for everyday use. Instead, it is best for situations where potential asbestos-containing materials need to be disturbed. It’s often carried out:

• After asbestos removal work, ensure the air is safe before reoccupying the space.
• In buildings with suspected damage to asbestos materials, to detect if fibres have been released.
• During high-risk activities, such as drilling or demolition, monitor exposure levels.

But how does it work? Air sampling uses an air filter to draw in a set amount of air across a surface designed to catch asbestos fibres. This is then analysed under a microscope by a team of qualified lab technicians who look for both the type and the amount of fibres. If the amount exceeds a certain threshold, they sound the alarm to notify working crews that it’s too dangerous.

Bulk

On the other hand, ‘bulk’ sampling is the most common form of asbestos testing. It involves taking small, careful physical samples of building materials that you or an asbestos surveyor suspect contain asbestos. Some of the most common materials sampled for asbestos include vinyl flooring, insulation, textured coatings, and roofing materials.

Samplers collect physical pieces by following strict safety procedures to avoid fibre release and contamination. These samples are sealed, labelled, and transported to an IANZ-accredited laboratory for analysis.

We usually recommend bulk sampling for pre-renovation or demolition surveys, which helps you to avoid accidental disturbances that could release the fibres for inhalation. They’re also helpful in the lead-up to a major asbestos removal project.

Soil

Finally, we have soil sampling. Old properties degrade over time or are demolished to make way for new builds. This means ACMS can infiltrate the soil, contaminating entire patches of the ground. Soil testing involves taking core samples of the soil across several layers of the silt, then testing for fibres in the soil in-house.

If asbestos is found, this can indicate site-wide contamination that needs to be carefully managed through air asbestos sampling during new builds or further excavations.

Across the board, the primary benefit of asbestos sampling is putting knowledge in your hands. When it comes to dodging the dangers of asbestos, knowledge is power. This is why accurate, professional sampling and testing are so vital.

Done poorly, sampling can create more danger, so it’s important to follow strictly established professional guidelines if you’re tackling a sample yourself. For the safest route, we always recommend hiring a professional crew to conduct a thorough analysis of your property using the appropriate sampling equipment.

Trust the team at Consultex Environmental for all your asbestos sampling needs.

With our team of fully-qualified IANZ asbestos lab technicians on staff, the Consultex Environmental team is here to help you find, test, and safely manage potential asbestos-containing materials.

Get in touch with us to book your bulk asbestos sampling today.