Glossary

Terms A to Z

Asbestos register

A document listing identified or presumed asbestos in a workplace, required for workplaces built before 31 December 2003.

Bonded (non-friable) asbestos

Asbestos locked into a material such as fibro. Lower risk when undisturbed and in good condition.

Chain of custody

The signed record that tracks a sample from collection to the laboratory, proving it was not tampered with.

Clandestine drug laboratory (clan lab)

A place where illicit drugs are manufactured.

Clearance certificate

Written confirmation after asbestos removal that an area is safe to re-occupy.

Detailed assessment

Every swab analysed separately to show exactly where contamination is. Also called discrete sampling.

Detailed composite

Three to five swabs per room on different surfaces, analysed together for a room total.

Field blank

An unused swab handled like a sample to check for contamination introduced during sampling.

Friable asbestos

Asbestos that can be crumbled by hand and releases fibres easily. Must be removed by a Class A licensed removalist.

Health investigation level (HIL)

The level above which further assessment is recommended. For methamphetamine on residential surfaces in Australia it is 0.5 µg/100 cm².

ISO/IEC 17025

The international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, including sampling.

Laboratory composite

A screening method where several swabs are combined at the laboratory for one average result, while kept separate for possible re-analysis.

Methamphetamine

A synthetic stimulant drug, also called meth or ice. The most common illicit drug residue found in Australian homes.

NAMC

The National Association for Methamphetamine Contamination. EnviroForce is NAMC verified.

NATA

The National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia, which accredits laboratories and inspection bodies against standards such as ISO/IEC 17025.

NIOSH 9111

The wipe sampling method for methamphetamine on surfaces published by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Precursor

A chemical used to make a drug, such as pseudoephedrine, P2P or safrole.

Remediation

Cleaning, removal and replacement work to bring a contaminated property below the guideline.

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS)

Fine silica dust that can reach deep into the lungs. Workplace exposure standard 0.025 mg/m³.

Spore trap (air cassette)

A device that captures airborne mould spores for laboratory counting and identification.

Tape lift

A surface sample for mould taken with adhesive tape.

Third-hand exposure

Exposure to drug residue left on surfaces after use, rather than direct use or second-hand smoke.

Validation testing

A detailed assessment after remediation to confirm a property is below the guideline.

XRF analyser

A handheld instrument that measures lead in paint without removing it.

µg/100 cm²

Micrograms per 100 square centimetres. The unit used to report surface residue. 100 cm² is a 10 cm by 10 cm square.