Asbestos is a naturally occurring material consisting of microscopically small fibers. It posts a significant risk to human health and is regulated in many countries.

Our asbestos testing and monitoring solutions for consumer products containing sand allow you to protect consumers from asbestos and ensure compliance with regulations. We identify the presence and type of asbestos, and the concentration of airborne fibers in sand in products such as children’s play sand, egg timers, hourglasses, doorstops and decorative art.

Reduce asbestos risks with SGS

Prevent risks to human health
Asbestos can cause several diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Comply with asbestos regulations
In the UK, it is a legal requirement that products containing sand be classed as “no asbestos detected”.
Avoid product recalls
Identifying asbestos in sand allows you to implement plan control and remediation measures.
Protect brand reputation
Asbestos testing by an independent, accredited laboratory assures consumers that your products are safe.
Enhance brand reputation
Credible third-party assurance increases confidence in your brand among consumers, stakeholders and supply chain partners.

Discover our testing services for asbestos in sand

Qualitative identification using polarized light microscopy (PLM)
This widely used method is used to visually identify the types of asbestos fibers present in a sample.
Qualitative identification using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
More sensitive than PLM for detecting small or irregular fibers, SEM is useful if you need a higher confidence in identifying trace asbestos. This test type is accredited by UKAS.
Quantitative analysis of asbestos content
We determine the mass concentration or fiber count, which can be important for risk assessment or regulatory compliance. This is especially relevant for investigating trace contamination in play sand.

Why choose SGS?

As the world’s leading inspection, testing and certification company, we have accredited laboratories all over the world and environmental experts in over 100 countries. Our experience and start-of-the-art equipment enables us to perform accurate and efficient identification and analysis of asbestos, in compliance with local regulations.

Our UK laboratory is the only facility in the country to offer asbestos testing in sand. We operate with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 22262-1 accreditation for both PLM and SEM/EDX.