Hazardous Material Assessments
Asbestos is not the only hazardous material found in older buildings. Our hazardous material assessments identify lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) before works begin, so you can plan safe working methods, protect occupants and manage waste correctly.
What Is a Hazardous Material Assessment?
A hazardous material assessment is a targeted inspection of a building or site to identify materials that may contain lead, PAHs or PCBs. Lead-based paints were widely used in UK buildings, particularly before the 1960s, and were withdrawn from general sale in 1992. PAHs are associated with coal tar, which can be present in older asphalt surfacing, roofing felts and black adhesives beneath wood block flooring. PCBs were used in electrical equipment such as transformers, capacitors and older fluorescent light fittings, and in some sealants, mastics and paints. The assessment combines a review of available records, a visual inspection, representative sampling and laboratory analysis, and concludes with a report setting out where these materials are present and what they mean for your planned works.
When Is a Hazardous Material Assessment Needed?
- Before refurbishment, strip-out or demolition of older buildings
- Before sanding, stripping or burning off old paintwork that may contain lead
- When excavating or removing older asphalt surfacing that may contain coal tar
- Before removing old sealants, mastics or electrical equipment that may contain PCBs
- When pre-construction information on hazardous materials is needed under CDM 2015
- When waste needs to be classified before disposal
Who Needs a Hazardous Material Assessment?
- Building owners and managers planning works to older properties
- Clients, principal designers and principal contractors under CDM 2015
- Developers and contractors preparing for refurbishment or demolition
- Heritage and listed building owners with historic paintwork
- Facilities managers of industrial, commercial and public sector estates
- Groundworks and highways contractors handling older surfacing materials
What You Receive
- Assessment scoped to your building and planned works
- Representative sampling of suspect materials
- Specialist laboratory analysis for lead, PAHs and PCBs as required
- Written report with sample locations, photographs and results
- Plain-English interpretation of results for your planned works
- Practical recommendations on safe working, further assessment and waste
Our Assessment Process
Assessment & Scoping
We review your planned works, the age and history of the building and any existing information, then agree which areas, materials and substances the assessment needs to cover.
Inspection & Sampling
We inspect the agreed areas and take representative samples of suspect materials such as paintwork, coatings, sealants, mastics, adhesives, roofing materials and surfacing, using controls to minimise disturbance and dust.
Specialist Laboratory Analysis
Samples are sent to a specialist laboratory and analysed for the substances of concern, such as lead content in paint, PAHs in coal tar-containing materials and PCBs in sealants and similar materials.
Reporting & Recommendations
You receive a clear report showing where hazardous materials were found, the results for each sample and our recommendations on safe working methods, further assessment and waste classification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hazardous materials does the assessment cover?
The assessment focuses on lead (most commonly in older paintwork), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with coal tar in materials such as older asphalt, roofing felts and adhesives, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in materials such as sealants, mastics and older electrical equipment. We agree the substances and materials to include at the scoping stage, based on the building and the planned works.
Is lead paint a problem if it is in good condition?
Lead paint in good condition that is not being disturbed generally presents a low risk. The risk increases when paint is flaking or when work such as sanding, stripping, burning off or demolition creates lead dust or fume. Where work is liable to expose people to lead, the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 require the risk to be assessed and controlled. Our assessment tells you where lead paint is present so these risks can be planned for.
Why does coal tar in asphalt matter?
Coal tar contains PAHs, some of which are carcinogenic. It affects how materials should be handled and how waste is classified. Under the Environment Agency's waste classification guidance (WM3), bituminous waste containing 0.1% or more coal tar is hazardous waste. Laboratory analysis of PAHs helps determine whether coal tar is present so the waste can be classified correctly.
Where might PCBs be found in a building?
PCBs were used in electrical equipment such as transformers, capacitors and older fluorescent light fittings, and in some building materials including sealants, mastics, paints and adhesives. PCBs are regulated as persistent organic pollutants, and waste containing PCBs at or above 50 mg/kg must be managed as persistent organic pollutant waste rather than disposed of as ordinary waste.
Is a hazardous material assessment the same as an asbestos survey?
No. An asbestos survey identifies asbestos-containing materials in line with HSG264. A hazardous material assessment looks for other substances, such as lead, PAHs and PCBs. Many projects need both, and the two can be planned together so that inspection and sampling are coordinated.
Will the report help with waste classification?
Yes. The laboratory results and our interpretation provide information that can be used to classify waste in line with Environment Agency guidance (WM3) and to inform discussions with your waste contractor. Where further testing is needed for a specific disposal route, we will explain this in the report.
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