How to recognize asbestos: tips to help you detect it

Asbestos is a well-known material in the construction sector, given that its name is associated with a large number of products present in the construction process. Due to the seriousness of its exposure to people’s health, identifying the presence of asbestos in the environment is vital.

At agforest we give you some tips to help you detect if there is the presence of asbestos in your environment.

Year of construction of the building

One of the most common indicators of the presence of asbestos in a building is its year of construction. Structures built before the 1980s are more likely to contain asbestos, as it was widely used in building materials until that date.

Likewise, if it was built before 2002, it is very likely that it contains asbestos, since until this year its sale and use was not considered illegal. Normally, you will find white asbestos, but there are also more types of asbestos such as blue or brown.

Uralite plates with NT

Uralite plates that do not contain asbestos usually have the initials NT, which means New Technology, which began to be manufactured after asbestos was banned. Therefore, if they do not have these initials, they probably contain asbestos.

If you suspect that your building has asbestos, it is important to have a professional inspection to confirm the presence of this material.

Roof or pipe installation documents

If you have the papers that specify the feature or structure of the uralite roof installation, they could indicate whether that component contains asbestos.

Asbestos remote sensing

Remote sensing, using advanced technologies such as satellites or drones equipped with special cameras, can help identify suspicious areas in buildings without needing to touch them directly. This technique can provide detailed images for initial evaluation.

This is the quickest and most effective way to detect asbestos in a large population.

What’s more, at agforest, we offer you an asbestos census service . This consists of detecting, using high-definition images from satellites and the help of artificial intelligence, any trace of asbestos in those areas where this analysis is required.

asbestos kit

An asbestos detection kit allows you to take samples of materials suspected of containing asbestos and send them to a laboratory for analysis.

The kit typically includes instructions, personal protective equipment, sample collection tools, sealing materials, labels, and a prepaid container for shipping to the laboratory.

It is vital to handle carefully, following instructions, due to the risks associated with asbestos. It is recommended to consider professional help and check local regulations before use.

Although as we say this is a measure to detect it individually and not for a large population. A somewhat less innovative technique.

Hiring a professional company

Hiring a professional to detect asbestos is vital for health and safety reasons, as asbestos is dangerous and carcinogenic. Additionally, these experts have the knowledge and experience necessary to safely and effectively handle and identify asbestos-containing materials.

How to start an asbestos verification process?

In this first contact, we clarify the interested party’s queries, identify their needs and prepare a quote.

Once the quote is approved, a specialist from our team will travel to the specified site to collect the samples to be analyzed.

After carrying out the asbestos survey, we will provide the client with a comprehensive report of the findings, indicating the affected areas that need intervention.

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
Year of construction of the building	Quick and general method to identify risks. No special tools required.	It is not precise. It can lead to false assumptions.
Uralite plates with NT	Quick visual identification. Less invasive than taking samples.	It does not always guarantee the presence or absence of asbestos. Possible false negatives.
Roof or pipe installation documents	Accurate information if documents are up to date. You can indicate the type and quantity.	Depending on the availability and accuracy of the documents. The documents may have been lost or not updated.
Asbestos remote sensing	Non-invasive. It can cover large areas quickly.	Requires specialized technology. It may not be as accurate as other methods.
asbestos kit	More affordable than hiring professionals. Flexibility in sampling.	Risk of exposure if not used correctly. It may not be as precise.
Hiring a professional company	High precision. Safe and compliant handling.	More expensive. It depends on the quality and reputation of the company.

If you are interested in detecting asbestos, at agforest we can help you with our remote sensing service, contact us now.