Anthrax spores can survive in soil and dust for over a century.
Historic-site anthrax risk assessments and surface / dust sampling for demolition or refurbishment of former tanneries, hide mills, abattoirs and bone-meal works — coordinated with UKHSA reporting routes.
- UK-wide since 2013
- Independent assessments
- ISO 9001 accredited
- Practical control advice
What this means for you
Evidence you can act on and defend.
Measured exposure evidence
Data suitable for HSE, insurers and audits.
Independent assessment
Occupational hygiene review of real exposure risk.
Practical control recommendations
Prioritised actions based on risk and operational practicality.
Compliance support
Evidence to support COSHH and internal governance.
Speak with a anthrax-risk specialist
0800 433 7914
sales@sysco-env.co.ukMon–Fri · 08:00–18:00 · Independent advice · Fixed-price scope
Typical response: same working day
What happens next
Anthrax assessments combine desktop and on-site work.
We carry out historic-use research, attend site for targeted sampling, send samples for microbiological analysis and provide a clear, proportionate report — including UKHSA liaison if contamination is confirmed.
No unnecessary disruption. No generic paperwork. No unnecessary complexity.
Whether exposure is controlled
A clear yes or no, backed by measurement.
Where the highest risks are
Locations, tasks and roles ranked by exposure.
What actions matter most
A prioritised plan you can budget and schedule.
What you get
Four answers. One clear plan.
You need to know what your workforce is exposed to, whether your controls are effective, what actions matter most, and how to demonstrate control confidently.
That is exactly what we deliver.
Historic-use research
Map the original site use and identify likely contamination zones before sampling.
Sampling & analysis
Surface and dust sampling with microbiological analysis at a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
Risk-based controls
Proportionate disturbance method statements where contamination is confirmed.
Coordination with UKHSA
Notification routes and remediation oversight where required.
Why clients call
If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.
- 01
An auditor is asking
HSE, your insurer or a client wants evidence — not assurances
We provide measured anthrax-risk data and a clear technical report that resolves the issue quickly.
- 02
Your team is worried
Operatives are reporting concerns or symptoms
We attend site, quantify workforce exposure and provide clear evidence of current risk levels.
- 03
You suspect a problem
You know there's a risk and you want measured data before it becomes a crisis
We quantify exposure, assess it against current limits and provide a prioritised corrective action plan.
What we answer for you
Three questions, settled.
- Where your people are exposed
- We map the tasks, areas and shifts where anthrax-risk matters, then sample what your team actually breathes — not a generic site average.
- Whether your controls are working
- An independent review of your LEV, ventilation, PPE and work practices — what is effective and what requires improvement.
- What you need to fix first
- A prioritised, costed action list — the smallest set of changes that gets you compliant and measurably safer.
How we work with you
From your first call to your action plan.
- 1
We listen first — your site, your concerns, your deadline.
- 2
We walk the workplace with your team to see exposure as it actually happens.
- 3
We sample on the people most at risk, using validated occupational hygiene methods for anthrax-risk.
- 4
We assess your existing controls honestly — what's working, what isn't.
- 5
You receive a clear technical report suitable for operational, compliance and regulatory readers.
- 6
We hand you a prioritised action plan you can budget, schedule and defend.
Typical survey outputs
What you receive at the end of the engagement.
- Documentary historic-use review
- Targeted sampling plan
- Microbiological laboratory results
- Contamination zone map
- Disturbance method statement
- UKHSA liaison record
- Decontamination protocol (if required)
- Defensible report
Client testimony
“Sysco gave us a clean, defensible historic-anthrax assessment that satisfied our demolition contractor and our insurer.”
— Development manager
UK heritage developer
Typical environments we assess
Wherever anthrax-risk risk affects your people.
- Demolition of historic mills
- Tannery / hide-works conversion
- Former abattoir sites
- Bone-meal / glue works
- Heritage redevelopment
Background
Anthrax site risk, in detail.
Why historic sites matter
Bacillus anthracis spores are extremely robust and have been demonstrated to remain viable in soil, dust and animal-product residues for many decades. Tanneries, wool sorting, hide mills, abattoirs and bone-meal / glue works of the 19th and early 20th centuries imported animal materials that periodically carried anthrax.
How we assess
A documentary research phase (historic OS maps, trade directories, planning history) defines likely zones of historic contamination. Targeted surface and dust sampling in those zones is sent for microbiological analysis at a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
If contamination is confirmed
Proportionate disturbance controls (wet methods, full enclosure, supplied-air RPE), exclusion of unrelated workers, decontamination protocols, and notification to UKHSA. We coordinate with the local Consultant in Communicable Disease Control.
Related services
Often assessed alongside anthrax-risk.
Asbestos surveys
Management and R&D surveys to HSG264, supporting your Duty to Manage under CAR 2012.
Explore 02Lead paint
Pre-disturbance lead paint surveys and disturbance monitoring.
Explore 03Boundary dust monitoring
PM10/PM2.5 monitoring for construction and demolition with planning-condition reporting.
Explore 04Hazardous substances (COSHH)
Full COSHH exposure assessments across solvents, dusts, fumes and bio-aerosols.
ExploreCommon questions
Anthrax — FAQs.
Quick answers to the questions we hear most from operations, HSE and procurement teams.
- Is this routinely required?
- For demolition or invasive refurbishment of identified historic high-risk sites, yes. Modern industrial sites do not require it.
- How is sampling analysed?
- By microbiological analysis at a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
- Do you use PCR analysis?
- No — our anthrax service uses microbiological (culture-based) analysis at a UKAS-accredited laboratory, not PCR. Microbiological analysis confirms viable Bacillus anthracis, which is what informs the practical risk to workers during disturbance. If a project specifically requires molecular (PCR) confirmation, we'll discuss the appropriate referral route at quote stage.
- If positive, what then?
- Proportionate controls under expert oversight, with UKHSA notification and a documented remediation programme.
- Do you handle the UKHSA liaison?
- We support the duty holder in notification and engagement.
- How long does an assessment take?
- Typically 1–2 weeks for documentary work and a single site visit for sampling.
- Where in the UK?
- Nationwide UK coverage.
Speak with a anthrax-risk specialist
Tell us the site. We'll scope an assessment.
Tell us
- historic and current use,
- scope of intended works,
- site location and access,
- and your project deadline.
We will provide
- a clear scope,
- fixed quotation,
- proposed attendance strategy,
- and expected reporting timeframe.
Send us a brief
Outline the sites, tasks and timelines of concern — we'll reply with a clear scope and fixed quotation.