Personal and Static Sample Measurements of Asbestos Fibres During Two Abatement Projects

Abstract

Exposure assessment was performed during the abatement of amosite containing material (ACM) and chrysotile containing material (CCM). Mean fibre concentrations (MFC) in breathing zone (BZ) were 20.6+/-7.9 f/cc and 6.3+/-2.2 f/cc during abatements of ACM and CCM, respectively. At the fixed station, MFC were 5.4+/-3.5 f/cc for ACM and 2.9 f/cc+/-1.6 for CCM. For observer's BZ, MFC were 3.1+/-1.3 f/cc (ACM) and 1.8 f/cc (CCM) during the abatement. Though elevated, area and observer-type samples clearly underestimate exposure. Exposure remained unacceptable in the worksite with the class of respiratory protection used.

Airborne asbestos fibres monitoring in tunnel excavation

“…The results obtained by the personal sampler (mean= 15.57; SD=11.63) were significant lower (P t-test = 0.013) than that measured by static sampling in zone A during excavation (mean= 25.37; SD=13.69) (Tab. 1); these finding are in contrast with Dufresne et al (2009) during two abatement projects. In the case of tunnelling, some critical situations remained totally undetected using personal sampler without knowing the residence time of workers in the different zones.…”

Environmental pollution as a result of a vacuum deficit in the working areas during asbestos removal work.

“…(Air samples were taken by the author mostly inside and outside the work area, at a distance of more than 5 m from workers. The obtained values with "area samples" are not equivalent to the measurement values of samples taken from the worker's breathing zone (they are much lower [10,11,12]). The article presents the levels of pollution which are routinely not measured (outside the work zone).…”

Asbestos Exposure in Demolition: An Analysis of Abatement Practices and Alternatives to Demolition

“…Lastly, crocidolite, or blue asbestos, can also be found and is similar to amosite. When only partial abatement is carried out it is not uncommon to find additional concentrations of asbestos left in homes that are higher than 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc), which is the legal exposure limit (Dufresne et al, 2009). Anything higher than that created dangerous levels of exposure and the asbestos must be removed.…”