Asbestos Testing & Sampling

Why Test for Asbestos?

You cannot identify asbestos by sight alone. Many common building materials — from textured coatings to floor tiles, cement sheets to pipe insulation — can contain asbestos fibres that are only detectable through laboratory analysis.

If you are planning building work, managing a property, or simply want to know whether a suspect material contains asbestos, professional sampling and testing provides the definitive answer. This is the foundation for making safe, informed decisions about how to manage or remove the material.

Our Testing Process

Common Materials We Test

In Edinburgh and the Central Belt, the most frequently tested materials include:

UKAS-Accredited Analysis

All samples collected by Onea Environmental are analysed by UKAS-accredited laboratories. UKAS accreditation means the laboratory meets internationally recognised standards for competence, impartiality, and consistent operation. This gives you confidence that the results are reliable and will be accepted by regulatory bodies, contractors, and property professionals.

For a detailed explanation of our compliance framework and laboratory partnerships, see our compliance and safety standards page.

Testing in Edinburgh & Central Belt Properties

In Edinburgh tenements — particularly those renovated during the 1970s and 1980s — textured ceiling coatings are one of the most commonly tested materials. Many homeowners planning to skim or replace ceilings need confirmation before a plasterer will start work. Across the Central Belt, floor tiles in kitchens and hallways of post-war housing are another frequent test, especially ahead of kitchen refits in Livingston, Bathgate, and Falkirk properties.

If you have accidentally disturbed a material you suspect contains asbestos, our emergency guidance page explains what to do immediately. We can arrange same-day emergency sampling if needed.