Asbestos testing is the process of collecting and analyzing samples of materials that may contain asbestos. The purpose of asbestos testing is to identify the presence, type, and amount of asbestos fibers in a material so that appropriate safety measures can be taken to prevent their release.

Asbestos testing is essential for residential, commercial, and industrial properties that were built before 2000, as it was only then that the use of asbestos was banned in the UK. However, even new buildings may contain asbestos in some materials, such as cement pipes, brake pads, and fireproof clothing.

Asbestos testing involves taking a small amount of the suspected material and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will use polarized light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to detect asbestos fibers and estimate their concentration. The results of asbestos testing will indicate whether the material is safe, requires management, or needs removal.