Greenwall have developed the World’s first NIR spectroscope using a bespoke linear variable filter (no moving parts). This will enable asbestos surveyors to simply point and click the device at a section of wall or building materials and have an analysis of the content of the material available within seconds. Greenwall and Dr Vladimir Zholobenko of Keele University’s Chemistry Department have developed the device and proven its relevance, capabilities and design requirements to proof of concept stage. Greenwall Environmental Evolution Ltd is a new start up business that has recently secured a £250,000 Innovate UK government backed grant.
HOW ASBESTOPROBE WORKS
Point and Click at suspect material
Result within 10 seconds
Report ready to send to client
Asbestoprobe V Current method of detection
Current methods of detecting and recording the presence of asbestos can require a building to be shut down. A professional surveyor takes invasive samples of asbestos containing materials. This takes 15 minutes per sample and up to 2 days in a testing lab.
With the Asbestoprobe, surveyors point it at a suspect material and get an analysis of the content within 10 seconds : A Green light on the display = No asbestos present; Amber = A retest is required; Red = Asbestos detected.
Automated Reporting: The device uploads detailed results via the surveyor’s laptop, tablet or smartphone app. An asbestos sample report is then generated.
Asbestoprobe ‘Traffic Lights’ to safe working
Green
No asbestos detected
Amber
Retest required
Red
Asbestos detected
We’ve teamed up with leading hardware & software technology partners
Our Hardware Partners – Keele University & Viavi Solutions Inc.
We are working with spectroscopy scientist Dr. Vladimir Zholobenko at Keele University’s Chemistry Department to develop a hand-held device that will give us an instant identification of asbestos.
For several years we have been developing the identification process with Keele using near infra-red spectroscopy to enable us to detect various types of asbestos.
Greenwall aims to now develop prototype hand held devices in conjunction with Keele University and our technology partner VIAVI Solutions Inc. (A California based company who are experts in Micro NIR Spectroscopy), to enable live real time field trials to be undertaken prior to selecting an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to work with for the mass production of the device.
Our Software Partner – Start Software Ltd.
A major advantage of Asbestoprobe will be its fast automated report generating capability. Once the device uploads detailed results via the surveyor’s laptop, tablet or smartphone app, a report will be generated using our software.
Start Software are pleased to be Asbestoprobe’s software partner and are working with the hardware team to provide their software and data expertise to the project. Start Software has been providing software to the asbestos industry for more than 10 years.
Start’s market-leading Alpha Tracker® platform has delivered 500,000+ asbestos reports to building managers across the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand and is the engine powering most of the leading asbestos consultancies.
Asbestos is the biggest occupational killer in the UK today
The alarming statistics
More than 107,000 people die in the developed World each year from exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos related illnesses kill 5,000 workers in the UK each year.
More than 75% of UK schools still contain asbestos.
The Asbestoprobe will detect the following common types of Asbestos
Chrysotile
Amosite
Crocidolite
Tremolite
Actinolite
Anthophyllite
The Duty to Manage Asbestos
A Legal Requirement
Take 5 Stay Alive – Asbestos Safety TV ad
Take 5 Stay Alive is the British Lung Foundation campaign to raise awareness of asbestos within the building trades. Its website offers a very comprehensive and down to earth warning about the risks of working with Asbestos, where it can be found and what it is.
Why is asbestos dangerous?
When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases. These diseases will not affect you immediately; They often take up to 40 years to develop, but once diagnosed they can be terminal.
The ‘duty to manage’ asbestos
The duty to manage asbestos is the responsibility of the duty holder, this is normally the land lord or tenant of the non domestic property. The duty of care is held by the persons who are responsible for protecting others from the risks to ill health that potential exposure to asbestos causes within the premises.
This includes satisfying the legal compliance of undertaking an asbestos risk assessment and putting an asbestos management plan in place, this includes what type of asbestos, where it is within the building and what condition it’s in. This normally takes the form of an asbestos survey.