Soil and sediment
Metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, VOCs, SVOCs, nutrients, physical properties and site-specific contaminants.
World time
Labs & Testing / Environmental evidence
Environmental Services Laboratory
Integrated sampling and analysis for land, waste, water, materials and environmental incident decisions.
Purpose and scope
Evidence designed for the decision.
Environmental testing must reflect the site history, conceptual model, pathway and receptor. COHSEW builds analyte suites around the decision—not a generic list—then maintains traceability from field plan and sampling quality through analysis, data validation and clear interpretation.
Scope noteAvailability, recognised methods and accreditation status must be confirmed for the exact laboratory, location, test and sample type before use.
Specialist capabilities
A connected technical programme.
Panels are selected after the question, sample matrix, applicable limits, required sensitivity and reporting purpose are understood.
Waste characterisation
Leachability, ignitability, corrosivity, free liquids and targeted chemical characterisation for defined decisions.
Materials and buildings
Risk-led investigation of asbestos-containing materials, lead, mould, dust and other building-environment concerns.
Incident and remediation support
Rapid scoping, field screening, confirmatory testing, trend review and post-remediation verification.
Samples and evidence
Defined matrices.
Controlled handling.
Correct container, identity, preservation, temperature, transport and holding time are agreed before collection.
01Soil and sediment02Waste and leachate03Surface and groundwater04Building materials05Dust and deposition06Industrial residues
The laboratory pathway
Build the conceptual site and exposure model
Define data-quality objectives and analyte suites
Control field and laboratory quality evidence
Validate usability before drawing conclusions
Authoritative framework
Primary guidance for quality and practice.
COHSEW summarises these sources; it does not reproduce standards or replace current national rules and competent professional judgement.
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