Assessing asbestos exposure in public buildings

Technical Report · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7041985

Hatfield, J; Stockrahm, J; Todt, F; Ogden, J; Leczynski, B

Airborne asbestos levels were measured by direct transmission electron microscopy in 49 public buildings from three categories: (1) buildings without asbestos-containing material (ACM); (2) buildings with all or most of the ACM in good condition allowing for a limited number of areas of moderate damage; and (3) buildings with at least one area of significantly damaged ACM or numerous areas of moderate damage. Although the absolute airborne asbestos levels were very low, Category (3) had the highest median levels followed by Category (2), Category (1), and outdoors. Category (3) levels were significantly higher than Category (1). Another objective was to field test an assessment method for ACM developed facilitate abatement decision making in the context of an asbestos-management program. Using rate consistency as an evaluation criterion, the three factors showed promise as assessment tools for use in the field. Each factor showed statistically significant consistency among raters.

• Research Organization: Battelle Columbus Div., OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7041985
• Report Number(s): PB-88-230909/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ASBESTOS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
FIELD TESTS
RISK ASSESSMENT
STANDARDS
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
TESTING
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
320107 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Building Systems- (1987-)