Envirochem predicts rise in respiratory claims

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We are predicting a rise in claims for respiratory problems after a new inquest into the death of nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah in 2013.

Ella, who lived near the busy South Circular Road in London, died from a fatal asthma attack six years ago. A 2018 report has found that unlawful levels of air pollution were detected just one mile away from her home, and likely contributed to her death.

Pollutants such as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and particulates can have a significantly negative impact on health conditions – particularly respiratory problems like asthma. We see such pollutants in areas of high traffic congestion, and believe regularly testing for these harmful chemicals is the best way to keep the public safe.

If illegal levels of air pollution are suspected in an area – particularly one with lots of traffic – it is key for private air quality testing to be carried out to ensure toxic levels of pollutants are managed accordingly.

We are regularly called out to monitor and test the air quality in large cities, near busy roads, and on construction sites. We have seen the levels of toxic chemicals are significant near busy roads that are congested – where the exhaust fumes from cars, buses and lorries hang in the air for much longer. People living near these environments are being exposed to harmful chemicals when they breathe in this air.

 

We provide air quality surveys for all types of situations.

 

  • To measure changes in airborne dust concentrations.
  • Changes in airborne particulates, which may arise from site activities such as demolition, can have a serious impact on health to local residents or employees.
  • Air quality surveys can be used to determine whether site activities are likely to have an impact on air quality.

Our results can identify if people’s health is at risk, and what actions to take to reduce the risk.

 

For more information please fill out the form below or live chat us;

 

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Testing the water systems in your home is crucial  

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We all want to live and work in a safe, clean environment, and many of us will take a number of precautions to ensure that we do!

However, too often, we forget about the harmful bacteria that can lurk in water systems within our home or workplace – whether that be radiators, swimming pools or even our shower heads.
At Envirochem, we recommend regularly testing water systems to ensure they are clean, safe and free from any nasty substances. That’s why we sell a range of self-test kits that allow you to check for the presence of harmful bacteria and chemicals.

Testing for Legionella

Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease, which is a form of pneumonia. It can be found in various water systems in your workplace and home – from spa pools and dishwashers to water coolers and humidifiers. Our self-test kits allow you quickly and easily to check for the presence of Legionella in water systems to ensure you, your family or your employees aren’t being exposed to it.

Domestic heating water systems

Have you noticed corrosion on your pipework or radiators? This is often caused by the pH of the water, the water’s chemical make up or even the presence of oxygen in the water. It’s important to identify the cause to ensure no harm is being done and avoid future corrosion. Our self-test kits can help you assess this!

 

Swimming pools

It’s really easy for infectious agents to enter swimming pools and spas – and once they are in there, unfortunately the conditions are usually perfect for them to grow! Regularly testing the water – we recommend minimum once every month – can help avoid outbreaks of ear and eye infections, or gastro-enteritis, as well as helping to detect Legionella. You can purchase one of our kits here.

 

Our self-test kits allow you to take the safety of your home or workplace into your own hands – but if you prefer, our qualified team is always on hand for callouts. Get in touch via the contact form below.

 

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What sort of risks would Ed Sheeran be taking if he swam in his “natural pool”

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A growing trend for natural and chemical-free pools was brought into sharp focus this week when the neighbours of the nation’s favourite musician Ed Sheeran said they were worried his new pond could double as a swimming pool.

 

Here at Envirochem we have noticed a growing trend for these natural swimming pools – a garden pond with plants to oxygenate the water and keep it clean enough to swim in. No need for chlorine or other potentially harmful chemicals.

 

In Ed Sheeran’s original planning application for the pool on his estate in Suffolk, it was described as supporting ‘nature conservation’, however, some of the star’s neighbours have said they are worried it could be used for wild parties, swimming and other recreational activities.

The neighbours might be worried about loud noise from late night parties. But Ed might have other things to be worried about if he was thinking of swimming in his natural pool.

What are natural pools?

 

Natural pools are becoming increasingly popular – perhaps most commonly owned by the rich and famous. They tend to blend into outdoor environments better than a traditional pool, and use plants in place of chemicals for cleaning purposes. Water filters through the plants, as well as enabling an ecosystem to exist within the pool.

 

Sounds like a good idea, right?

What’s the problem?

Without proper filtration and regular cleaning, pools like these can become home to harmful legionella, which regularly occurs in natural water sources. Legionella is a bacteria that can cause Legionnaires’ disease – a lung infection caused by inhaling the bacteria. Symptoms can range from severe chest pain to high temperatures.

What should I do if I’m concerned?

If you are concerned about the water quality of a natural pool, we sell self-test kits so you can quickly, safely and easily test for the presence of legionella. Purchase yours here, or get in touch with a member of the Envirochem team today.

Or fill out the form below for more information;

 

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Test your home for lead-based paint before renovating or redecorating

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If you’re thinking of redecorating or renovating your home, before you pick out a new paint colour and start taking measurements, it’s crucial to test for the presence of lead-based paint. It is a great way to ensure your walls are safe before releasing potentially harmful dust and paint chips into your home. In fact, there are a number of substances you should consider testing for before making changes to your home.

What is it?

Until the early nineties, when it was banned from being sold in the United Kingdom due to the dangers is posed to people’s health, lead was a common component in paint. If you live in a home that was built before 1992, there’s a chance it contains lead-based paint – even if it’s hidden under layers of new paint!

Why do I need to test for it?

When left untouched, lead paint is generally unharmful. However, if it is disturbed during home improvements – from being cracked or drilled into, for example – it becomes hazardous. If paint chips are ingested, or lead dust is inhaled, there are a number of risks – especially for young children or pregnant women.

High exposure to lead dust can cause a number of problems that affect the body’s organs and function, including the neurological, gastrointestinal and reproductive organs. Symptoms can include headaches, insomnia and nausea, among others.

What should I do about it?

If you’re a landlord planning on renovating, or a homeowner thinking of doing some DIY, the first step is to test for the presence of lead in paint.

Our self-test kits are safe, easy to use, and come complete with instructions and return packaging. The results will be back to you within three working days.

Purchase your self-test kit here, or get in touch with a member of the Envirochem team today: on our live chat or via the form below;

 

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Everyone at Envirochem is happy to welcome Eireann

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Everyone at Envirochem is happy to welcome Eireann, our newest Apprentice lab technician to the team!!!

Emission Testing

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Our analysts have been testing the emissions from a soldering process to identify how well the extraction process is performing in getting rid of metal fumes.

Samples were taken isokinetically by taking the flow rate of the extraction to produce an average concentration of both particulates and metals for the whole duct.

 

For more information or to make an enquiry please fill out the form below or live chat one of our team;

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Five things to think about when redecorating:

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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).

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Why you should purchase a self-test legionella kit.

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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.

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Why you should purchase a self-test asbestos kit.

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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.

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Introducing our new self-sample asbestos testing kits!

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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?

  • Disposable FFP3 flat fold face mask, coveralls and gloves
  • Cleaning wipes to ensure sample tools are kept clean
  • Labelled grip lock Polythene sample bags
  • Sample submission form
  • Detailed and easy-to-follow instructions

 

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;

  • Corrugated cement
  • Walls and boards
  • External cladding panels
  • Soffit, fascia and rainwater goods
  • Window sills
  • Textured coatings
  • Many more… all explained in the kit.

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.

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We recommend dropping the samples back to us or sending the samples to us via courier.