Asbestos : Regulatory analyses for aggregates, soils and materials

Asbestos enters building rubble during building dismantling, for instance. Asbestos in the soil and in fillings cannot be ruled out even at prior commercial sites and in the area of old landfill sites. The hazardous material has also been found during the use of recycled materials in this way.

Asbestos disposal – individual and economic solutions

Our experts analyse and evaluate your soil as well as your construction and demolition waste. If the findings are positive, we coordinate the following procedure with you, depending on the degree of contamination, the composition of the analysed materials and further recycling methods. Our lengthy experience has shown that there are often more cost-effective solutions than dumping.

Magnesia and magnesium chloride form a quick-hardening, cement-like mass that can be used as screed in permanently dry areas. Its suitability as an industrial screed with elastic properties is achieved using wood fibres (stone-wood screed).

However, asbestos fibres were also used between the sixties to the nineties. These wood fibre screeds can have very different appearances. Some can be seen to contain fibres with the naked eye, whereas others only reveal isolated, minute wood contents and provide no indication of asbestos. With very little effort, however, they can be checked for asbestos fibres using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Firmly bound asbestos fibre products are only conditionally subject to mandatory remediation

Like all other floor coverings containing asbestos, little attention is usually paid to polluted floors. As firmly bound asbestos fibre products, they are not subject to mandatory remediation as long as they are not affected by construction measures or extensive destruction. Suitable or even alternative solution options are always available for any plant situation. Ongoing production can also be maintained without the need to increase costs

The fillers containing asbestos are found in thin layers and are usually concealed by several surface layers. However, they may also be covered by structural plaster and wall paints containing asbestos. Their use within a room changes unsystematically from one partial surface to another.

It should not be forgotten that the fillers were used to fill holes, joints and cracks. The usual search criteria fails here. Prefabricated constructions are currently the central focus of the findings. As knowledge of the situation increases, it is becoming clear that identification in good time is essential in the case of all construction projects.

How the occurrence of asbestos can increase demolition costs

The economic aspect must also not be underestimated, as the example of a student residence shows: due to the occurrence of asbestos, demolition costs increased from €270,000 to over €750,000 - not including follow-on costs. This aspect also affects many real estate transfers which have been already completed.

Our services:

• Project- and needs-based analysis strategies
• Inspection, sampling and analytical determination of materials containing asbestos