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How to Test Plaster for Asbestos in Hampshire

If you live in Hampshire, a beautiful county in the South East of England, and you own a property that was built before 2000, you should consider testing the plaster for asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral that was widely used in building materials until the late 1990s when it was banned due to its health risks. Asbestos exposure can cause serious and even fatal diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that your property is free from asbestos, especially if you plan to renovate or demolish it.

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire, we are a reliable and affordable asbestos testing company in Hampshire that can help you identify whether your plaster contains asbestos or not. In this landing page, we'll explain what asbestos is, how it was used in plaster, why it's dangerous, and how to test it in your property.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that consists of microscopic fibers. It was widely used in the construction industry due to its desirable properties such as strength, durability, and resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals. Asbestos was added to various building materials, including insulation, roofing, flooring, cement, pipes, and plaster. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial properties until the 1990s when their health hazards became widely known.

How Was Asbestos Used in Plaster?

Asbestos was used in plaster, also known as gypsum plaster, to increase its strength, durability, and fire resistance. Asbestos fibers were added to the plaster mix before it was applied to the walls or ceilings. Asbestos plaster was also used to create decorative coatings or textures, such as Artex, which was a popular finish in the 1970s and 1980s. Artex contains up to 3% of asbestos, and it can release fibers when drilled or sanded.

Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?

Asbestos is a highly hazardous substance that can cause serious health problems when inhaled. Asbestos fibers are microscopic, sharp, and resilient, which means they can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause inflammation, scarring, and tumors. Asbestos exposure can lead to several fatal diseases, including:

Mesothelioma: a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Mesothelioma has no cure, and the prognosis is poor. It can take up to 30-40 years for the disease to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Asbestosis: a chronic lung condition that causes shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain. Asbestosis is irreversible and can lead to respiratory failure.
Lung Cancer: a malignant tumor that originates in the lungs or nearby tissue. Lung cancer is the most common cancer associated with asbestos exposure, and it can be fatal if not treated early.

How to Test Plaster for Asbestos?

Testing plaster for asbestos is a vital step in ensuring that your property is safe from asbestos exposure. Here are the steps you should follow to test your plaster for asbestos:

Choose a qualified asbestos testing company: You should select a reputable and experienced asbestos testing company, such as Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire, to conduct the testing. We are fully licensed and insured, and we use UKAS-accredited laboratories to analyze the samples.
Identify the suspicious areas: You should inspect your property and identify the areas where asbestos-containing materials could be present, such as walls, ceilings, cornices, skirtings, architraves, and Artex coatings.
Take samples: You should use a moisture meter to check the moisture content of the plaster. If the plaster is dry, you can take a small sample of material using a hammer and chisel, or a coring tool. You should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, and a respirator mask to avoid inhaling asbestos fibers.
Analyze the samples: You should send the samples to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will test the samples using polarized light microscopy (PLM), which is a standard method for detecting asbestos fibers in materials.
Receive the results: You will receive a report from the testing company, which will show whether the samples contain asbestos or not. If the samples contain asbestos, the report will also specify the type and amount of asbestos present.

Why Choose Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire?

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire, we offer a comprehensive asbestos testing service that is fast, reliable, and affordable. We have over 20 years of experience in the asbestos industry, and we have helped thousands of clients in Hampshire and the UK to identify and remove asbestos from their properties.

Here are some reasons why you should choose us for your asbestos testing needs:

Licensed and insured: We are fully licensed and insured to carry out asbestos testing, surveying, and removal in Hampshire and the UK.
UKAS-accredited laboratories: We use UKAS-accredited laboratories to analyze the samples, which ensures the accuracy and reliability of the results.
Fast turnaround time: We offer a fast turnaround time for the asbestos testing, which means you can get the results within a few days.
Affordable prices: We offer competitive and transparent prices for our asbestos testing service. We don't have hidden fees or charges, and we provide a detailed report with the results.
Professional and friendly staff: Our staff are knowledgeable, professional, and friendly, and they will guide you through the asbestos testing process with care and attention.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you have a property in Hampshire that was built before 2000, you should consider testing the plaster for asbestos. Asbestos is a hazardous substance that can cause serious and fatal diseases, and it was commonly used in plaster until it was banned. Testing plaster for asbestos is a vital step in ensuring that your property is safe for you and your family. At Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire, we offer a reliable and affordable asbestos testing service that can help you identify and manage asbestos in your property. Contact us today for more information or to book your asbestos test.