Identify what's on the surface — soot, mould, dust or fibre.
Microscopic identification of surface contaminants from tape-lift samples — mould genus identification, fire residue characterisation, dust fingerprinting and fibre identification.
- 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 tape-lift analysis 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
Send the tape-lifts; we do the rest.
Standard turnaround is 3–5 working days; rush turnaround is available. Reports include interpretation suitable for the surveyor, contractor or insurer.
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.
Direct microscopy
Transmission and reflectance microscopy to identify mould, soot, char, fibres and inorganic particulate.
Particulate proportions
Approximate proportions reported (low/medium/high) to support source attribution.
Context-aware reporting
Reports written for surveyors, restoration contractors and housing duty holders.
Photographic evidence
Microphotographs included where they support the identification.
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 tape-lift analysis 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 tape-lift analysis 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 tape-lift analysis.
- 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.
- Microscopic identification
- Particulate proportions
- Microphotographs
- Source-attribution commentary
- Chain-of-custody record
- Methodology summary
- Sample submission log
- Defensible laboratory report
Client testimony
“Sysco's tape-lift analysis cleanly distinguished mould from soot in a post-fire claim — fast and clear.”
— Loss adjuster
UK insurance assessor
Typical environments we assess
Wherever tape-lift analysis risk affects your people.
- Lab analysis service
- Property investigations
- Post-fire / post-flood
- Healthcare estates
- Schools
- Hospitality estates
Background
Tape lift analysis, in detail.
Methodology
A tape lift is a clear adhesive strip pressed onto a surface to capture a representative layer of particulate. The strip is mounted on a microscope slide and examined under transmission and reflectance microscopy to identify the components present and their approximate proportions.
What we typically identify
Mould (genus level), soot and char (post-fire), inorganic dust (typical building dust vs unusual mineral particulate), fibres (cellulose, synthetic, asbestos screening — confirmatory analysis required), and pollens / skin scales for IAQ context.
Related services
Often assessed alongside tape-lift analysis.
Common questions
Tape Lift Analysis — FAQs.
Quick answers to the questions we hear most from operations, HSE and procurement teams.
- What can you identify?
- Mould (to genus), soot and char, inorganic and organic dust components, fibre identification (with separate confirmatory analysis where asbestos is suspected).
- Sample collection?
- Standard clear adhesive tape pressed onto the surface and mounted on a clean microscope slide; pre-prepared kits available.
- Turnaround?
- 3–5 working days standard; rush turnaround available.
- Asbestos?
- Tape-lift is an indicative screening only — confirmation requires PLM/PCM by an accredited asbestos lab.
- Do you provide commentary?
- Yes — every report includes interpretive context.
- Where are you based?
- UK-based laboratory with national post-in service.
Speak with a tape-lift analysis specialist
Send us the samples. We'll identify the contaminants.
Tell us
- sample number and surfaces,
- the question you need answered,
- turnaround required,
- and your reporting 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.
Sample lab report
Our report at a glance.
Every Sysco laboratory report is short, hierarchical and actionable. Here is what you'll find on the first page — and you can preview the full PDF below or request the worked example by email.
- 01
Sample & site context
Why we sampled, the locations chosen and the method used — at a glance.
- 02
Headline result table
Total spores per cubic metre by location, with indoor / outdoor ratios.
- 03
Dominant genera
Plain-English call-out of any water-damage indicator organisms found.
- 04
Priority actions
Three-step action plan with owners — what to do next, in order.
Anonymised — based on a real Sysco assessment, signed off by a BOHS-qualified hygienist.
For download
Free laboratory resources for your team.
Print-ready references and forms — no sign-up required. Updated whenever methods or guidance change.
- Field guide
Sampling collection guide
Field-ready instructions for collecting spore traps, tape-lifts, swabs, bulk samples and pumped media for lab analysis.
- Form · A4
Chain-of-custody form
Printable A4 form for sample IDs, custody transfers and dispatch — send with every batch of samples to the lab.
Need a specific method, sampling kit or chain-of-custody tailored to your project? Call 0800 433 7914 or email sales@sysco-env.co.uk.