Rest assured with our UKAS accredited legionella testing service

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Protecting everyone from Leigonella. Cheers to that!

We all recognise that although it isn’t common, Legionnaires’ disease can be serious. The disease is a severe form of pneumonia. Most people become infected when they inhale microscopic water droplets containing legionella bacteria from environments such as showers, swimming pools and hot tubs.

And while the human cost can be significant, the business interruption cost shouldn’t be underestimated either. The good news is that both can be mitigated with regular testing as a part of a wider water management plan.

“Whether we are working with a cruise ship line or a local leisure centre, spa or hotel, we understand the importance of accurate and reliable legionella testing. Envirochem is all about better health outcomes for our customers’ people. Legionella testing is a key part of how we help our customers better safeguard their employees and customers. Regardless of your sector, if water is involved, reliable legionella testing is essential,” said Envirochem’s Business Development Manager, John Stead.

At Envirochem, our UKAS accredited service can deliver you legionella test results within two weeks. Get started today by purchasing your text kit here

If you would like any more information about the risks from legionella or our partner-led, novel UKAS-accredited legionella sampling service, please get in touch with our lab team today by email (micro@envirochem.co.uk) or by calling 01329 287 777. If you would prefer us to get in touch with you, please fill out the form below;

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What does Water testing entail:

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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.

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Analysis for the Built Environment

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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:

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Hi-tech machines and instrumentation

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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;

 

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Water testing in Hot-tubs and Pools

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Home pools and hot-tubs are a great way to relax in the hot weather due – especially when you know the water is free from any nasty Bacteria like Legionella! Make sure yours is clean with our self-testing kits or we can come and sample for you.

 

For more information please call us on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form;

 

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Covid-19 Safety Measures – Open for Business As Usual.

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Here at Envirochem, we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure your safety as well as ours when samples are dropped off to us. We are wearing face coverings, regularly testing staff and hand sanitising to name a few. We remain open and operational for all our services.

 

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

 

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Self-sampling Testing Kits

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If you’re worried about contractors entering your home at the moment to carry out testing, purchase one of our self-sampling kits to take samples yourself safely for analysis. We offer a range of kits to test Asbestos, Legionella and more; envirochem.co.uk/shop/products

 

Or for more information fill out the form below;

 

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Bacteria in your Home

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Summer may be over – but bacteria aren’t as bothered about that as we are. Check your household water is safe, by using one of our self sampling kits or contact us for advice and sampling.

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

https://envirochem.co.uk/shop/products

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Legionella Risk Assessment Survey

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Engineered water systems carry a risk of legionella which can be fatal. Here’s how we tested the water at the University of Southampton to ensure it was safe:

 

A Legionella risk assessment survey is an examination of the potential risks presented by engineered water systems, and seeks to identify and prevent the risks of exposure to Legionella bacteria from work activities and water systems.

We visited the university premises before they were open to the students in order to avoid any disruption.

We carried out the legionella risk assessment by taking Legionella and TVC samples, as well as temperature measurements to have a better understanding of the water quality.  TVC analysis is required to simulate the potential threat the water could pose if ingested.

On completion of the analysis, the results were interpreted and the relevant advice was given to the Facilities Manager.

 

 

For more information please fill out the form below;

 

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We are investing in New Technology for Water Contamination Testing

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We currently provide scientific analysis services in our high tech laboratories in Broadcut in Fareham, testing for asbestos, lead in paint, air quality, and water-borne diseases such as legionella. We have now invested in equipment that will be able to detect minute contaminants in water.

 

The Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer from Shimadzu is used for ultra-low level detection of metals and semi-metals in groundwater, rivers, effluent and drinking water. It is capable of detecting less than one particle in one trillion.

 

This is a major investment in technology for the business and will put us right at the forefront of this sector in the south of England.

 

We already have an enviable reputation for the quality of our testing and analysis of all sorts of environmental and microbiological samples – all nationally accredited through the UK Accreditation Service. This investment takes us to the next level.

 

We will mainly be using this instrument for drinking water testing and it will enable us to test to the very highest standards of quality as determined by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

 

With the ICP-MS, we’ll be testing for metals such as lead, arsenic, antimony, mercury and cadmium in water samples for our clients.

 

The flame in the new equipment burns as hot as the surface of the sun – 6,000 degrees Centigrade – during the analysis process.

 

The ICP-MS equipment is being built in Japan and is expected to be delivered and commissioned in the our laboratory before the end of the year.

 

Lara Johnson from Shimadzu said: “We have been working with Envirochem since 2012, when the first total organic carbon analyser was purchased. We are delighted to be working together again, for the fourth time, on the delivery and installation of the new ICP-MS system.”