SGS UK

Our laboratories can identify the presence, type of asbestos and concentration of airborne fibres in any product that contains sand which will be available to the consumer. This can help plan control and remediation measures to protect human health with asbestos testing and monitoring.

Sand can be found in a wide range of consumer products such as children's play sand as well as sand housed within a product such as egg timers, Hour glasses, doorstops and decorative art.

Asbestos poses a significant risk to human health and the environment and is regulated in many countries. It is a naturally occurring mineral consisting of microscopically small fibers that can cause several diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. In the UK it is a legal requirement that products containing sand are classed as no asbestos detected.

Consumer products containing sand

How the testing process works

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Why choose SGS?

Types of asbestos testing

We provide a range of services to help organizations identify, control and plan remediation measures when asbestos fibers are a risk to human health.

Asbestos analysis can be conducted both before and after asbestos is removed:

Qualitative Identification (Presence of asbestos)

  • Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) – a widely used method to detect and identify asbestos fibres. It visually identifies asbestos types present in the sample 
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) – more sensitive than PLM for detecting small or irregular fibres; useful if you need higher confidence in identifying trace asbestos. Our test includes asbestos type, breakdown of the spectra of the asbestos types identified and whether it is an ACM, considered contaminated (>0 but < 3 fibres of any one type of asbestos in the sample analysed, or no asbestos detected). The test type is accredited by UKAS. One part per hundred thousand is the theoretical limit of detection, about 0.001% w/w.

Quantitative Analysis (How much asbestos is present)

  • Quantify asbestos content — meaning not just presence/absence but mass concentration or fibre count, which can be important for risk assessment or regulatory compliance. This is especially relevant if you are investigating trace contamination in play sand

With accredited laboratories located all over the world and environmental experts in over 100 countries, we have the experience and state-of-the-art equipment to perform accurate and efficient analysis of asbestos in observance of local regulations.

 

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Asbestos and Fibres Testing

Sample submission – collect a representative quantity of the sand following instructions from our expert (to avoid contamination). We will advise on container, labelling, and shipping.

Laboratory analysis – the lab uses PLM, SEM, TEM, or a combination, depending on sensitivity required and client’s objectives.

Results reporting – you’ll receive a report stating whether asbestos was detected, what type(s), and (if requested) quantitative data such as concentration or fibre counts.

Accreditation and compliance

We operate with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 22262-1 accreditation on both PLM and SEM/EDX which we offer (though for the sand we are using SEM/EDX due to its much better limit of detection).

All testing is performed at our laboratory in Middlesborough, which is the only facility in the UK to offer this service.