We are pleased to announce Ella and Chloe have successfully passed their P401 Exam (Identification of Asbestos in Bulk Samples (PLM)), joining our Asbestos bulks lab. Congratulations!
Find out more about our Asbestos Lab here: https://envirochem.co.uk/
If you’re a landlord or a homeowner, a long weekend often means extra time for DIY projects you’ve been meaning to start. Before you do – there are a few things we recommend you check. We’ve compiled a handy checklist of some things to look out for so you can ensure your property is fit for renovation.
1.) Asbestos
What is it?
Until the late 20th century, asbestos was widely used in building projects – particularly for insulation. The dust created by damaging asbestos can be extremely harmful, and has been known to cause cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Where is it?
While asbestos regulations started to improve in the mid-80’s, a fully-fledged ban was not introduced in the UK until 2009. If your house was built before this time, asbestos may have been used in its initial build – from insulation in the loft and interior walls to the floors and ceilings.
How can we help?
If you suspect there is asbestos in your property, it is important to test for its presence before damaging it – by drilling into it, ripping it out, or even hammering a nail into it. We provide self-test kits so you can safely and easily test for asbestos. Alternatively, our team of expert scientists are also available for call-outs.
2.) Lead and arsenic in paint
What is it?
Lead and arsenic are substances that were commonly found in paint before their dangers were realised. Lead was popular because it helped accelerate the paint drying process – however, exposure to lead dust was found to cause abdominal pain, headaches and memory problems, among other issues. Arsenic was commonly found in a shade known as ‘Scheele’s Green’, but it was later found to cause arsenic poisoning, which can lead to vomiting and abdominal pain.
Where is it?
Any paint containing lead or arsenic that has chipped off or been scratched can release harmful dust. This can be both inside and outside your house, on skirting boards, in soil and other places.
How can we help?
There is no sure-fire way to know if paint contains lead or arsenic without testing for it. Our self-test kits enable you to test for the substances. If you suspect the paint in your home could be harmful, testing it is always the safest option. We can get results back to you in as little as three days.
3.) Harmful bacteria in water and water systems
What is it?
Water can be home to a number of harmful bacteria – this includes Legionella, which causes a form of pneumonia called Legionnaires disease.
Where is it?
Legionella lives in water – and thrives in temperatures between 20 and 60 degrees celsius. This makes places like dishwashers, hot tubs, pools and domestic water systems the perfect environment for Legionella to lurk.
How can we help?
Regularly testing the water systems in your property can help you ensure you or your tenants are not being exposed to Legionella. Our self-test kits can find the bacteria, as well as help you identify a leak source, and find the cause of corrosion.
4.) Indoor air quality
What is it?
During home renovations, you are exposed to a number of harmful substances that stay in the air you breathe every day.
Where is it?
Products like paints and varnishes, cleaning agents, and glues can contaminate the air and become a health hazard. Over-exposure to these can lead to headaches, dizziness and nausea.
How can we help?
Our indoor air quality tests help ensure the exposure levels are safe for anyone working or living in the environment. The self-test kit includes detailed and easy-to follow instructions.
Envirochem recommends testing your home before making any DIY decision or starting a renovation project. If for any reason you would prefer for a member of the team to visit the site and carry out tests, you can get in touch with us via the contact form below.
As a professional working with hazardous substances, there are a number of things you need to consider to ensure your own safety, the safety of your employees and of those living/working in the environment around you.
At Envirochem, we can help you cover all of your COSHH compliance needs – whether you’re working directly with, producing, or are exposed to hazardous substances in your workplace.
We’ve broken down our reliable, UKAS accredited COSHH compliance services so you can ensure you’re ticking all the right boxes.
Testing hazardous dusts
If you need to test hazardous dusts, our team will happily discuss what your requirements are so we can tailor our approach to suit you. You can find out more about our dust monitoring services and make an enquiry here.
Checking noise pollution
We can conduct noise surveys throughout your premises – whether you need us to assess the level of noise, undertake octave band assessments to assist in the choice of noise abatement equipment, or assess daily exposure to give an accurate sample per individual.
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) checks
LEV checks can help control the release of hazardous airborne substances that are released from a process into the workplace environment. We routinely undertake checks of equipment such as fume cabinets, spray booths and dust extract systems – if this is something you need to check for your business, you can get in touch here.
Indoor air quality testing
Making sure the indoor air quality of a workplace is safe before, during and after a project is key. If you need to test a workplace for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), get in touch with us so we can assess the best steps to take. Alternatively, you can order a self-test kit here.
Dispersed Oil Particulate (DOP) Testing
If you use a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter in your workplace, it requires regular maintenance – that’s where we come in. On-site DOP testing is an essential element of this and will ensure it’s of an acceptable standard.
Ensuring your safety equipment is doing its job
If Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is ill-fitting, it significantly reduces the protection it offers. We offer Fit Testing on-site, at our laboratory and can also provide training in the correct use of RPE.
For more information please fill out the form below or live chat us today.
A few nervous faces as some of our analysts get ready to take their P402 exam. This qualification will allow them to carry out surveys, inspect premises to identify and locate materials containing asbestos and to safely take samples of these for analysis. Good luck to all!
For all enquires please fill out the form below or live chat one of our team;
Redecorating your home can be an exciting process – but whether you’re freshening up the walls with a coat of paint, or you’re undertaking a large-scale renovation, there are a number of health hazards to consider.
Here are five things you should think about before undertaking any DIY projects in your home:
Asbestos
Asbestos is a harmful substance that is often used to insulate homes. While it’s harmless if left alone, any disturbances to the substance can cause serious health problems. If you’re planning on making any changes to your home – for example, knocking down or drilling into walls – then ensuring no asbestos is present is the first step! We offer on-site asbestos monitoring, as well as providing self-test kits so you can safely test your home before making any changes.
Lead in paint
A number of houses built before 1992 contain lead-based paint. Like asbestos, if left untouched, this is unlikely to cause any issues. If damaged or disturbed, however, it can release harmful dust. If exposed to too high a level of this, people can experience unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, insomnia and stomach aches. Our self-test kits enable you to test for the presence of lead in paint safely!
Arsenic in paint
If you live in Victorian home, there is a chance some wallpapers contain arsenic. In a similar way to lead in paint, arsenic can produce harmful dust if disturbed. If you’re concerned about arsenic in paint, it’s always safest to test before beginning any work.
Legionella
This bacteria tends to live in water systems – so in the right conditions, even your shower head can be home to legionella, which could cause legionnaires disease. Regularly disinfecting shower heads and running taps for a few minutes after they have not been used for a while can help reduce risks, but it can also be found in places like gardening soils, air conditioners and humidifiers. If you’re worried about the presence of legionella, our self-test kits are safe, quick and easy to use!
Domestic heating water testing
If you’ve noticed corrosion on pipes and radiators, before you decide to replace them, it’s a good idea to find out what might be causing it in the first place. Factors such as the pH and the chemical makeup of water, among other things, can lead to corrosion. Our domestic heating water self-test kit can help you get to the root of the problem and help avoid future damage to pipes and radiators.
For any help and advice get in contact us via the form below or by telephone (01329 287777).
With Christmas fast approaching, decorating the house like a Santa’s grotto is something that everyone can get excited about.
Whether you’re a tinsel person, paper chain lover or just wishing for a white Christmas, we know there’s a bit of festive spirit in all of you!
Using artificial snow to cover window ledges, plants and trees has been a festive tradition since the late 19th century. Most sprays and powders are a biodegradable and environmentally friendly way to keep a house feeling fresh and festive for weeks at a time.
But did you know artificial snow used to contain asbestos?
For quite a long time in the early 20th Century, asbestos was widely used in artificial snow found in ornamental decorations or sprinkled on tree branches and wreaths. Because of its white, fluffy appearance it was the perfect substance to use — before people realised how damaging the effects of asbestos could be!
Cans of artificial snow made from asbestos used to be sold under a number of branded names such as: White Magic, Pure White, and Snow Drift, particularly throughout the late 1920s and 30s.
A number of film sets have also used chrysotile asbestos in its purest form to create the illusion of snow falling.
Iconic film scenes such as the ‘poppy field’ scene in the original Wizard of Oz and the traditional ‘flurry’ scenes of It’s A Wonderful Life are coated in artificial snow which was actually made of pure asbestos. In A Wonderful Life, 6,000 gallons of the substance was used throughout the film which stuck to the actor’s hair, clothes and skin.
The fake snow used contained 100% industrial-grade chrysotile asbestos fibres. Anybody who came into contact with the substance, whether it was one of the actor’s or a member of the crew, would have inhaled a substantial amount — similar to those who worked in asbestos mines. This is despite the fact that the health hazards of asbestos had been known for many years.
Today, there is so much more knowledge about asbestos at our disposal, compared to the limited knowledge of asbestos in centuries gone by.
You can now buy artificial snow in many different shops to sprinkle on your tree, decorate your windowsills or imitate Santa’s footprints and is now made from a patented, safe and non-toxic super-absorbent polymer developed specifically to imitate the properties of snow but in a safe and child-friendly way.
On our website you can find out more about where you can still find asbestos and what to do if you think you might be at risk. Always check the safety procedures and precautions before approaching anything you think might be dangerous.
Here at Enviorchem, we have recently launched a range of self-test kits to help keep you safe and make it easier for you to test for harmful substances in your home or workplace. Our wide range covers a multitude of various substances, including Legionella, and comes with all the necessary equipment and safety measures needed, so it’s super quick and easy to test for it yourself.
When it comes to the water we use everyday, it’s important to ensure that it’s safe enough to be used and consumed and to make sure it poses the least risk of immediate or long-term harm.
Legionella is a bacteria which, if left in favourable conditions, can cause Legionnaire’s disease. The bacteria can be found in areas like cooling towers, spa pools and showers, among other places. It can be hard to know when water isn’t quite right without organising proper testing. Our self-test kits allow you to take a sample of the water to send to us for testing.
In our kits you will find specialist water sample bottles, a sample submission form, and easy to-follow detailed instructions of how to take the sample yourself. They’re quick, safe and easy to-use.
If you’re concerned about water quality or the presence of legionella, you can order a self-test kit from the Envirochem website today. And, our expert team is always on hand if you need more information or would prefer for someone to attend a site to take samples for you.
Below are the links to purchase any of our self test kits or if you prefer to visit our website – https://envirochem.co.uk/shop/products
For more information or to get in touch with one of our team please fill out the form below or email us at office@envirochem.co.uk.
Here at Envirochem we’ve recently introduced our very own range of self-test kits for a range of different substances such as Asbestos, Lead in Paint, Legionella and more.
We always want your safety to be a priority and to make sure the process of checking for harmful substances is as straight forward as possible. Whether it’s at work or in your home, we understand that it’s not always easy to know where to start if you’re worried about asbestos. Our self-test kits are easy to use, come with all the necessary protective equipment and instructions and can be returned back to us for analysis. If needed, we can let you know feedback and results in just four hours!
Everyone knows that the presence of asbestos is definitely something you don’t want lurking around your home or workplace. With the release of our new self-test kits it’s never been easier to take a sample of an area you think may have asbestos and get it tested by us so you can get on with your day-to-day life.
Our self-sampling kit will enable you to take a sample, safely, from a material you suspect contains asbestos. The substance can be found in a number of materials, and it is commonplace in buildings built prior to 1980. It can be found in anything from corrugated cement and internal cladding panels to window sills, walls and boards. It is always safest to check whether asbestos is present before making any changes to a building.
If you’re considering renovating your home or workspace, make sure you order one of our self-test kits today to ensure the process is as safe as possible. Alternatively, our expert team is always on hand to attend a site and take samples for you. For more information, get in touch with one of our experts today.
Order any of our full range of self-test kits here:
For more information or to get in touch with one of our team please fill out the form below or email us at office@envirochem.co.uk.
Envirochem are please to introduce our new safe, cost-effective self-sample asbestos testing kits.
Each kit comes with all the personal protective equipment (PPE) you will need to safely take samples of suspect asbestos containing material from your property. The Kits have a set of easy to follow instructions, and return packaging. The samples will then be analysed in our own in-house UKAS accredited 17025 Laboratory. Once the samples are received back to the lab, we can get the report issued to you within 4 hours if you request.
Please see below to purchase them and for all the details of the self sampling kit
What can I expect to get in the kit?
What samples can I take?
The self sampling kit enables you to safely take a sample(s) from a material you suspect may be containing asbestos, materials include;
For more information and full details of places asbestos could be, please see the website below;
http://www.hse.gov.uk/ asbestos/building.htm
Once the samples are received, they are analysed in our own in-house UKAS accredited 17025 Laboratory. With results available four hours from being received if requested.
Need any more advice
Our in-house laboratory staff is always on hand to help answer any questions you may have either by phone or email;
If you’d like to know more about our kits or how to order one give us a call on 01329 287777 or send us an email at office@envirochem.co.uk. Alternatively you can fill out the form below. We look forward to hearing from you.
We recommend dropping the samples back to us or sending the samples to us via courier.
We recently helped a client who had purchased a World War 2 gas mask, who was concerned that it may contain asbestos.
Warnings by the HSE have been issued in the past warning schools and the public that gas masks and helmets and the related equipment should not be handled or worn, as they may contain harmful asbestos and other harmful toxins. Over time the masks condition deteriorates allowing the fibres to become loose and free.
Advice from The Health and Safety Executive to schools and public is to destroy or make safe (by a licensed contractor) the artefacts following tests to look for asbestos fibres.
For more information please visit the HSE website or contact ourselves if you have any concerns.
