Asbestos Testing for the University of Exeter

Established in 1851, the University of Exeter has campuses in Exeter and Cornwall. They are members of the Russell Group and have a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework. This evidences their international reputation for excellence in both teaching and research.

With strategic partneships across the world, the University brings together leading academics and outstanding universities. Together, they deliver transformative impact in key global challenges such as sustainability.

Asbestos Sampling

A team at the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus had several mine tailings samples which they needed to work with. The samples were taken from mines overseas and contained asbestos minerals. With health and safety being of paramount importance, they needed to establish whether the samples contained any fibrous asbestos. Asbestos bulk analysis to a representative sample of each mine tailings was required.

The University of Exeter contacted Scientific Services to discuss their requirements. Following an initial consultation, we devised a sampling strategy. This ensured that the samples tested would provide an adequate representation of the mine tailings and meaningful results. The University required the proposed sampling technique to documented and confirmed to them in writing. Our environmental consultants provided an outline of the intended sampling procedure to meet this information requirement.

The University’s team didn’t have the facilities to safely seperate samples from the bulk of the mine tailings. Our proximity to their campus, enabled them to hand deliver the samples to our UKAS accredited asbestos testing laboratory in Scorrier, Cornwall.

Once received, our environmental consultant mixed each respective sample inside the container that it was provided within. They then extracted and weighed a representative sample of material from each mine tailings provided. Our consultant confirmed the corresponding weights to the University of Exeter. To prevent any potential asbestos fibre release into the air, our team completed this sampling exercise within a dust extraction unit.

The remainder of the samples were returned to the University of Exeter so that they could be used for their research project (subject to negative results).

Asbestos Testing

Our P401 qualified asbestos analysts analysed each sample using stereo-microscopy, polarised light microscopy and dispersion staining. These techniques are best practice and HSG 248 compliant.

Fast Asbestos Test Results

All samples returned the favourable result of ‘No Asbestos Detected.’ Our environmental consultants provided the results on the day of sample receipt. This enabled the University to use the mine tailings samples within their research project and importantly prevented any delays to their work.

On-going Support

Should the University of Exeter have any future asbestos testing or consultancy requirements, our team are on hand to help. Our customer portal also documents all quotations, reports and invoices, so if required, they can be accessed at any time, from any location.

“Scientific Services’ ability to advise on, complete and document a sampling strategy was integral to the service that they provided. Their expertise and quick turnaround on the sample results prevented any unwanted delays to our project, whilst protecting our team from any potential asbestos risks.” Carmen Falagan-Rodriguez, University of Exeter.