Asbestos Testing Optimisation – a progression from manual to automated material assessment

Despite EU (2005) and UK (1999) usage bans, it is estimated that \\\>220 million public buildings in Europe and \>1.5 million in the UK still contain asbestos, with presence in the latter estimated at 6 million tonnes. This includes the majority of schools, universities and hospitals. The 2022 House of Commons Asbestos Management report cited asbestos-related illness as "one of the greatest tragedies of modern times", being responsible for 5,000 UK deaths per-year and the largest occupational killer globally. The same report also identifies the major challenge ahead when it comes to asbestos management - the "significant increase in asbestos material disturbance" linked to the planned decarbonisation of UK public-sector buildings by 2037 and the recommended 40-year deadline for removal in all non-domestic buildings. This picture is mirrored in Europe, with =35m buildings to be renovated under policies such as the European Green Deal. Central to meeting this challenge is the capability to detect asbestos in samples taken and the ability to respond to increased testing capacity demand. However, Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), as the current best-in-class, is heavily reliant on manual observation which impacts throughput and asbestos testing accuracy. Combining innovations in Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Robotics and AI, and with Innovate UK support, the project seeks to address these known challenges in asbestos laboratory assessment, through the development of **ASBESTOROBOT** - the first automated, real-time asbestos testing process capable of immediately detecting presence in any material with 100% sample coverage and accuracy, resulting in a \>20x increase in sampling capability compared to current practice. Development is proposed at a time where alternate approaches are actively sought, with the potential to truly disrupt a global asbestos testing market forecast to reach USD553.62 million by 2027