Analysis – Page 2 – Envirochem Blog

Our Newest Bulk Analyst.

Posted on November 9, 2021 at 11:51 am.

Meet Maria, our newest Bulk Analyst joining our Asbestos Laboratory. Maria has passed her P401 exam and is quickly gaining experience and furthering her knowledge. Maria was trained in-house by our experience staff as we offer approved British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) courses for a range of asbestos related courses including P401.

Here at Envirochem, we are a UKAS accredited Laboratory and have over 25 years of experience in the asbestos sector.

From sample analysis, air monitoring, surveys and more.

Envirochem offers a competitive Asbestos Fibre Identification service, in accordance with our UKAS Accreditation and HSG 248, returning results by email within 24 hours in most cases.

In the United Kingdom, the three most common forms of asbestos are chrysotile (white), amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue). They are found in common building materials such as insulation board panels, spray coating, bonded cements, gaskets, insulation, textured coatings, and vinyl flooring.

We undertake Management and Major Refurbishment/Demolition Asbestos Surveys in accordance with our UKAS accreditation based upon HSE Guidance Note Asbestos: The survey guide (HSG 264). We also undertake Re-inspection Surveys of buildings which have previously undergone Management Asbestos Surveys.

Our team offer the full range of asbestos air monitoring services geared specifically to meet the requirements of your project, in accordance with HSG 248. Our growing fleet of asbestos analysts are provided with fully equipped mobile laboratories allowing for on-site analysis of air samples and instant certification upon completion of analytical monitoring.

Additionally, we are UKAS Accredited for the Quantification of Asbestos in Soil.

For further information on all our services, please contact us for our fast and efficient service, call us on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below:

High Level and Confined Spaces

Posted on November 4, 2021 at 11:23 am.

Written by Envirochem

Here at Envirochem we undertake Management and Major Refurbishment/Demolition Asbestos Surveys in accordance with our UKAS accreditation based upon HSE Guidance Note Asbestos: The survey guide (HSG 264). We also undertake Re-inspection Surveys of buildings which have previously undergone Management Asbestos Surveys.

If that includes high level access or a confined space that’s no problem, we have a range of tools and equipment that our expertly trained staff can use to access nearly any space.

Asbestos Surveys are quoted on an individual basis. For a free quotation please contact us with as much detail as possible about the scope of your project including the size, age, usage, location and any other relevant information about the property.

For more information on our services and how we can tailor them to any requirement call us today or fill out the form below.

What does Water testing entail:

Posted on October 13, 2021 at 10:39 am.

Written by Envirochem

Testing for coliform bacteria and E.coli are the most important routine microbiological analysis carried out on drinking water. These tests provide a sensitive means for detecting faecal contamination, for assessing raw water quality, the effectiveness of water treatment and disinfection, and monitoring water quality in distribution.

Why carry out Water testing:

Recreational water such as Pools and SPAs – can be easily get Infectious agents introduced into them via bathers, from dirt entering the pool or from the water source itself. Once in the spa pool, conditions often exist for these infectious agents to grow and proliferate.

Drinking water or potable water – To ensure water is safe enough to be consumed by humans or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm.

Environmental Water – Lakes, rivers and seas are used for a variety of recreational activities including swimming, diving, fishing and sailing. If these activities are to be enjoyed safely, attention must be given to health hazards such as sewage pollution and excessive growth of toxic cyanobacteria, as well as to the prevention of accidents. EC bathing water directive (2006/7/EC).

What we can offer:

Envirochem routinely carry out a variety of tests including:

For recreational water:

UKAS Accredited tests:

Total coliforms
E.coli
Total viable counts 1 days at 37°C
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Legionella

For Drinking water or Potable water:

UKAS Accredited tests:

Total coliforms
E.coli
Total viable counts 2 days at 37°C
Total viable counts 3 days at 22°C
Pseudomonas aeruginosa

For Environmental Water:

Relevant tests:

Total coliforms
E.coli
Faecal streptococci

If you would like more information or you think you may require testing please call us on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below.

Analysis for the Built Environment

Posted on October 7, 2021 at 8:45 am.

Written by Envirochem

What is analysis in the Built Environment:

We offer a variety of analyses for the Built Environment where sensitivity is required in understanding the composition and nature of various substances.

For example, lead, arsenic and other metals in paint, anthrax or gypsum in plaster, mould and more.

Why test:

Many substances in the built environment can cause serious harm if they are disturbed and you are exposed to them. For example:

Lead in paint if breathed in or ingested can lead to changes in your blood and have effects on your nervous system and kidneys.

Anthrax is a potentially fatal infection caused by Bacillus anthracis that is transmitted from animals to humans. In the built environment one of the main sources of anthrax risk is horsehair plaster, typically found in older buildings, and usually pre-dates the 1950’s.

Paint and wallpaper containing arsenic that becomes damp, can be metabolised to a volatile form of arsenic called arsene. This arsene can then be inhaled by the occupants of the building. Even if concentrations are low, prolonged exposure can lead to arsenic bio-accumulating in the body and subsequent sickness.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and other similar gases in insulating foams are ozone layer depleting substances, which is one of the driving causes of climate change. Many of these substances are banned or are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol because of how damaging they are to the ozone layer.

Who should test:

Depending on what you are testing for, below is a few examples of who might require testing:

Demolition workers
Building contractors
Anyone carrying out refurbishment works
Individuals doing DIY
Anyone concerned about mould growth
Insulators or Insulation removers

What we can offer:

Envirochem can offer a range of testing including:

UKAS accredited Lead and Chromium in paint testing
Arsenic in paint and wallpaper testing
Anthrax or gypsum in plaster
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in foam and polystyrene
Mould analysis
Tests for over 30 metals in paint

We can also attend site and sample for you or alternatively we offer self-sampling kits for you to sample yourself to send to us for analysis.

For more information call us on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below:

What is Asbestos?

Posted on September 20, 2021 at 1:43 pm.

Written by Envirochem

What is Asbestos:

Asbestos is not one material as it is commonly mistaken for, but the term used for the fibrous forms of seven naturally occurring minerals.

In the United Kingdom, the three most common forms of asbestos are chrysotile (white), amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue). They are found in common building materials such as insulation board panels, spray coating, bonded cements, gaskets, insulation, textured coatings, and vinyl flooring and more.

Why test for asbestos:

Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health implications, including Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer and Asbestosis. Approximately 5000 workers still die per year from asbestos related illness.

Who should test:

Asbestos could be found in any building or construction built before 2000, this includes houses, schools, factories, hospitals and more.

Anyone who is involved in a trade such as demolition and those in the refurbishment, maintenance, and similar trades where it is foreseeable that your work will disturb the structure of the building, or even just individuals doing some DIY at home or work should check and get testing /surveying carried out before disturbing materials that could contain asbestos.

What we can offer:

Envirochem offers a competitive Asbestos Fibre Identification service returning results by email within 24 hours in most cases.

Samples can be delivered to our laboratory or collected by our analysts.

An Asbestos Fibre Identification certificate is produced for each batch of samples analysed, which is available most commonly in PDF format via email.

For more information please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below.

The Contamination & Geotech Expo 2021

Posted on September 14, 2021 at 12:05 pm.

Written by Envirochem

Next week we will be at The Contamination & Geotech Expo, find us at stand 4-G100!

We have a wide range of services and analytical testing options that we can provide and tailor to our clients requirements. Come and meet us to find out more.

Asbestos Testing Kits

Posted on September 8, 2021 at 10:49 am.

Written by Envirochem

Everyone knows that the presence of asbestos is definitely something you don’t want lurking around your home or workplace. With our asbestos 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 2000. 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.

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!

We also have a wide variety of self-test kits for a range of different substances along with our Asbestos testing kit, we also offer Lead in Paint testing kits, Legionella testing kits and more.

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.

Hi-tech machines and instrumentation

Posted on September 7, 2021 at 12:03 pm.

Written by Envirochem

Here at Envirochem, we have a wide range of Hi-tech machines and instrumentation, and use the most up to date scientific techniques.

This allows us to offer the best possible services, fast turnaround times and a large selection of testing and analysis options.

For more information and how we can help you call us on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

Leak Air Testing on the perimeter of negative pressure units to an asbestos enclosure.

Posted on August 20, 2021 at 10:10 am.

Written by Envirochem

We were recently commissioned to carry out Leak Air Testing on the perimeter of negative pressure units to an asbestos enclosure, this is to ensure that an elevated level of airborne fibres are extracted from the enclosure by the negative pressure units and there are no leaks.

Envirochem offer the full range of asbestos air monitoring services geared specifically to meet the requirements of your project, in accordance with HSG 248.

Our growing fleet of asbestos analysts are provided with fully equipped mobile laboratories allowing for on-site analysis of air samples and instant certification upon completion of analytical monitoring.

For more information call us on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below:

https://envirochem.co.uk/asbestos/asbestos-air-monitoring-and-fibre.html

We have recently achieved Accreditation status as a Fit2Fit Respiratory Equipment Fit Test Provider.

Posted on August 20, 2021 at 9:59 am.

Written by Envirochem

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is essential for Health and Safety. We carry out examination and Face Fit Testing of RPE in order to determine the suitability of the protective equipment.

And we have recently achieved Accreditation status as a Fit2Fit Respiratory Equipment Fit test Provider.

For more information and all our services please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;