Lab test for weird dust

[lassofthefold]

We've moved into a 1950s property built by the previous owners, who were in the building trade. We've just had insulation company in the loft to quote for insulation, and they said it has powder/dust unfamilar to them all over it, they took a sample "incase you want to send it to a lab". I would like to know it isn't dangerous so I would like to, but I have no idea how I'd go about this. Has anyone similar experiences?

You have to have a suspicion of what it might be before you can send it for testing. Perhaps ask them what it might be? Labs can’t just test for random stuff (unless you throw thousands at it), they need an idea of what they’re looking for.

Vermiculite maybe, though you would expect an insulation company to know about that.

Yeh I haven't a clue. It doesn't like photos online of vermiculite, it's much more powdery. Not sure what to do. Our survey was very thorough and didn't mention it atall

They're probably concerned it is asbestos. We had to get similar dust tested to check it wasn't asbestos.

We used a company called Full Circle Compliance, based in Essex I think. They were excellent, but presumably there are lots of others around the country. Cost us about £240 but that included a site visit so may be cheaper without.