As well as testing for asbestos in and around buildings, Airsafe can also test soil that you suspect might be contaminated with asbestos.
Soil testing takes place in our NATA-accredited laboratory, using state-of-the-art facilities and techniques that give you a definitive answer, fast - on the same day if required.
Cost of asbestos testing: $99 per soil sample (GST included)
Please include a cheque made out to Airsafe with your soil sample(s), or call (02) 9555 9034 to pay by credit card.
How to collect a soil sample for asbestos testing
You should always be careful when taking samples of soil you suspect contains asbestos. Here’s our easy step-by-step guide:
- Always use a P2 disposable dust mask when dealing with suspect materials. You can buy these at a hardware store.
- Wet the soil to suppress dust release.
- Carefully collect a sample using hand tools. The sample should be around 100g. Please note that larger soil samples offer no benefit and take longer to test.
- Place the soil sample in a click lock plastic bag. You can find these at any supermarket.
- Clean your hand tools thoroughly with a wet wipe then seal the wipe in its own click lock bag.
- Double bag your soil sample in a second sealable plastic bag.
- Stay away from the area until testing is complete.
- Complete this form, click "Get printable version" and print out the resulting page. Then put the form and the double-bagged soil sample in an envelope.
- If you can, bring your sample in person to Airsafe at 93 Beattie Street, Balmain NSW. (Call us first on (02) 9555 9034 to let us know you’re coming.)
- If you can’t bring your sample in person, call us on (02) 9555 9034 to make other arrangements.
About asbestos in soil
If your soil sample does turn out to contain asbestos, you'll need expert help from an asbestos consultant like Airsafe.
At sites where asbestos has been used as a building material, it's common to find that it has contaminated the surrounding soil. There can be a number of reasons for this, but most commonly, it's because the correct precautions haven't been followed during previous construction or demolition works.
Whenever asbestos removal works are carried out, soil at the site must be tested for asbestos as part of the clearance inspection process. However, it's always possible that when the site is excavated further, suspicious material will be uncovered deeper in the soil.
Asbestos in soils: Assessments and advice from Airsafe
There's a risk that this material might be asbestos that was allowed to contaminate the soil during original construction or a previous renovation. For that reason, if you make an unexpected find in soil during demolition or renovation works, you should contact Airsafe immediately on (02) 9555 9034 so we can take samples of the soil, test it for asbestos containing materials, and make recommendations if asbestos does turn out to be present.
We know from long experience that these unexpected finds in soil can put an entire building site on hold. We'll get a consultant out to you as soon as possible - usually the same day - so you can get back to work.
