Last Updated on: 6th May 2024, 04:42 am
Recent data analysis by Asbestos Sampling highlights significant regional disparities in the presence of asbestos within the UK. The firm analysed 5,338 samples collected in 2023, revealing that homes in the East of England has the highest likelihood of asbestos in residential settings.
According to the data, 38% of the samples from the East of England tested positive for asbestos, a figure significantly above the UK average of 30%. The South East and South West regions also showed high levels of asbestos presence, each with 36%, followed by Wales at 34%. On the lower end, Northern Ireland showed the least presence, with only 13% of samples testing positive, while the East Midlands had a 21% positivity rate.
The samples encompassed various materials, including Artex, cement pipes, cement roofing, and floor tiles. Cement roofing samples were predominantly affected, with 64% testing positive for asbestos. Similarly, 57% of samples from cement pipes and 43% from floor tiles were positive. In stark contrast, only 2% of insulation samples were found to contain asbestos, marking it as the material least likely to be contaminated.
Stephen Roche, Co-founder of Asbestos Sampling, stated:
“Our analysis of materials tested for asbestos during 2023 shows significant regional variations, with the East of England emerging as the region most likely to have asbestos present. That said, asbestos remains a concern for the health of individuals up and down the UK, serving as a stark reminder of the need to be vigilant for its presence. We would encourage anyone due to undertake work on a property which could contain asbestos to get an asbestos survey carried out before that work commences.”
Tom Yates, Co-founder, also commented:
“We are unsure of the reason behind the regional variations. The data being presented in our findings is restricted to samples submitted to us and may not be an accurate representation of the whole industry. As such, assumptions should never be made with materials which could contain asbestos, regardless of which region they are found – Always have suspect materials tested before working on them”
More details can be found in the full report at https://www.asbestos-sampling.com/blogs/articles/asbestos-testing-insights-2023.
