Airborne fiber control in buildings during asbestos material removal by amended water methodology

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(85)90006-4· OSTI ID:5082051

Sawyer, R N; Rohl, A N; Langer, A M

Removal of friable asbestos-containing material can cause high levels of airborne contamination. The potential efficacy of control methods recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was evaluated by examination of 503 air samples obtained in 40 removal projects in a number of locations. The EPA methodology with amended water for fiber emission control was utilized on all of the observed removal projects. The projects were also considered to be well controlled and the study cannot be considered representative of common work practices. The EPA amended water methodology, when effectively utilized and administered, can provide a high degree of contamination control. Mean fiber levels in the work area in this study (1.1 f/cm/sup 3/) were well below those of dry removal (38.9 f/cm/sup 3/) and control by application by untreated water (28.6 f/cm/sup 3/). Airborne contamination was higher during bagging debris (3.8 f/cm/sup 3/) than during material removal from structural surfaces. The range of fiber levels during removal was 0.0 to 37.0 f/cm/sup 3/ and fibers were detected from initial barrier construction through final cleaning. Contamination was also occasionally detected outside work area containment barriers. Air sampling produced 0.0 counts in areas of obvious contamination by settled dust and debris. Control methodologies, respiratory protection, and decontamination are discussed.

• Research Organization: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
• OSTI ID: 5082051
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 36:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ASBESTOS
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
US EPA
RECOMMENDATIONS
DATA ANALYSIS
DECONTAMINATION
EVALUATION
REMOVAL
WATER
CLEANING
CONTROL
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MONITORING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
US ORGANIZATIONS
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)