Asbestos sampling is a delicate procedure, both for the safety of the people around the sample and because the delicate asbestos fibres need to be preserved so they can be analysed in their entirety. Poor sampling technique leads to inaccurate results, which can create a lot of potential harm for yourself and anyone else occupying the building being tested.
This is why getting asbestos sample collection right is so vital, and why we take so much care in our sampling techniques as an IANZ-accredited lab. For this blog post, we’re shining a spotlight on why careful asbestos sampling is so necessary, what goes into asbestos fibre counting, and how our lab ensures every sample that passes through our doors is primed for accurate testing.
Why is Asbestos Sampling Necessary?
Asbestos was widely used in New Zealand construction before being banned in 2016. Many older buildings still have asbestos in roofing, insulation, flooring, and more. If these materials get disturbed, harmful fibres can become airborne, which is a serious health risk.
The only way to be sure if something contains asbestos is to get it tested. If you own a property or run a business, it’s crucial to follow the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016. Reliable testing keeps you legally compliant and, more importantly, keeps everyone safe.
A Little More on Asbestos Fibre Counting
Once an asbestos sample is collected, the next step is asbestos fibre counting. This process helps our lab technicians measure asbestos fibre concentrations to assess risk levels.
More specifically, we use Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) to identify the exact type of asbestos in the sample and how much is present. This means you get the most reliable information possible.
How We Sample Asbestos to Ensure Accuracy
As you can see, it’s really important that asbestos is sampled correctly, as the quality of the sample will affect the accuracy of the testing we do in-house. So, how do we make sure these samples make it to our lab technicians as intact as possible?
We Follow Strict Sampling Protocols
Our team follows a step-by-step process to prevent contamination and keep samples intact. Here’s how we do it:
- Wearing personal protective gear (PPE) to stay safe.
- Using a light mist of water to keep fibres from floating around.
- Cutting or scraping materials carefully to get a proper sample.
- Sealing samples in airtight, labelled containers to avoid mix-ups and contamination.
- Cleaning and decontaminating tools after every use.
We Follow IANZ-Accredited Lab Standards
At Consultex Labs, we follow International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) guidelines. This means our methods, equipment, and team training meet top industry standards.
Our lab is kitted out with high-tech instruments and staffed by experts who specialise in asbestos identification and analysis. Every sample goes through multiple quality checks to ensure results are 100% accurate.
We Offer On-Site Testing with Mobile Asbestos Labs
If you need fast results, we’ve got mobile asbestos testing labs that can come to you. These mobile setups are fully equipped, which means we can complete our asbestos fibre counting tests right then and there, with the same high standards as our main facilities.
This is a game-changer for construction sites, industrial areas, and even real estate deals where detecting asbestos quickly and minimising transport of the sample is essential.
We Offer Clear Sampling Guidelines for DIY Sampling
Not everyone needs an entire sampling team on-site. If you’re a homeowner or business owner who just wants one piece of material analysed with asbestos fibre counting protocols, you can submit your own sample to our team to have it looked at.
Keep in mind that sampling potential asbestos-containing materials yourself is much more dangerous than getting a team to do it for you. That said, if this is what you prefer, we offer equipment and clear guidelines for taking small, non-intrusive samples.
We Provide Easy-to-Read Reports with Next Steps
The whole point of asbestos fibre counting is to understand whether there is asbestos present in your sample, what kind of asbestos it is, and how much. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to effectively and safely manage asbestos once it has been found, which is why we provide a clear, detailed report that includes:
- Whether asbestos is present and what type it is.
- Fibre concentration levels (found via asbestos fibre counting).
- Risk assessment and compliance details.
- Recommended next steps for safe asbestos management or removal.
We make sure our reports are straightforward and practical, so you can make informed decisions without getting lost in technical jargon.
Ultimately, accuracy is our goal throughout every step of the sampling and asbestos fibre counting process. Inaccurate results lead to danger for the people who trust us, so we take this responsibility very seriously, ensuring proper protocol is followed every step of the way.
Trust New Zealand’s top asbestos testing laboratory for your test.
Not only do we ensure accurate results from our asbestos fibre counting tests, but we also provide mobile asbestos laboratories, 24-hour turnaround times, and detailed reports with next-step recommendations. When you partner with Consultex Labs for your asbestos testing, you’re bringing an industry expert on side.
Book your asbestos sampling and test with our IANZ-accredited laboratory team today.