Contamination & Waste Classification Testing
Chemical testing is commonly undertaken as part of a due diligence survey or Phase 2 (GQRA) geo-environmental investigation for former industrial or brownfield sites. Soil and groundwater samples would typically be scheduled for analysis of a targeted suite of potential contaminants related to the historical land use of the site or identified potential sources of contamination, where results would be screened against relevant environmental standards for controlled waters, or generic human health assessment criteria for soils, relevant to the planned development end use and potential pollutant linkages. Testing is undertaken by a UKAS- and MCerts-accredited commercial laboratory.
Asbestos and Asbestos ID
The screening test is used to detect, identify and quantify asbestos in soils to determine whether a material is an asbestos-containing material (ACM).
Total & Soluble Metals, Metalloids & Inorganic Compounds
Measures the concentrations of metals (e.g. lead, cadmium, copper, zinc), metalloids (e.g. arsenic, selenium, antimony), and other inorganic compounds (e.g. salts, anions like chloride, sulfate, or cyanide) in soil and groundwater samples.
Total or Speciated Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (Aromatic & Aliphatic Bands)
The suite of tests quantify Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in soil, and groundwater samples, where speciated tests are broken down into aromatic and aliphatic bands that reflect the chemistry of the hydrocarbon compounds (e.g., gasoline, diesel, kerosene, lubricating oils).
Total or Speciated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
The test is used to detect, identify, and quantify Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil and groundwater samples, where PAH compounds are hydrophobic and persistent in the environment.
PAHs represent a group of over 100 potential pollutants, which are formed primarily from incomplete combustion of organic matter (e.g. fossil fuels and industrial processes), where many compounds are potentially toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic
Benzene / Ethylbenzene / Toluene / Xylene (BTEX)
BTEX compounds are key constituents of petroleum products (e.g., gasoline, diesel, crude oil) and common industrial solvents. They are highly mobile, water-soluble (especially benzene), volatile, and frequently detected in environmental media due to sources like leaking underground storage tanks on industrial sites and petrol filling stations. BTEX are priority pollutants because of their toxicity and have been linked to human health issues at elevated exposure levels in soils and groundwater.
Total Phenols
Phenolic compounds are aromatic organic molecules that are linked to industrial and petrochemical sources, where they are harmful to aquatic life, and can pose human health risks if found at elevated exposure levels in soil and groundwater.
Volatile & Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC’S/VOCs)
VOCs and SVOCs are broad classes of carbon-containing organic chemicals that can volatilize (evaporate) to varying degrees under ambient conditions. They are common environmental contaminants from sources like petroleum products, industrial solvents, and manufacturing, where they can be toxic, carcinogenic, or pose health risks if found at elevated exposure levels in soils and groundwater.
Total or Speciated Poly Chlorinated Bi-Phenyls (PCBs)
PCBs are a group of 209 synthetic organochlorine compounds, which are persistent, highly toxic, bioaccumulative, and carcinogenic.
Waste Classification Testing
Ground Check also undertakes environmental sampling and Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) tests on materials arising from on-site excavations, where results are screened using industry-standard HazWaste software to determine the appropriate off-site disposal pathway. Following this, the waste arising from the site would be classified and certified as inert, non-hazardous or hazardous material, relative to potential exceedances of contaminant threshold values.