Airborne asbestos levels in school buildings in Italy

This article provides a summary of environmental investigations carried out from 1992 to 2002 by the National Institute for Occupational Prevention and Safety on airborne asbestos fiber concentrations in Italian schools. The monitoring was performed to evaluate the risk from asbestos exposure to students and school staff. Fifty-nine schools located in several Italian regions were studied. A detailed visual examination assisted with locating asbestos-containing materials in different school areas. Asbestos was mainly present in the vinyl floor coverings and in the asbestos-cement products (roofs, facades, and heating ducts). After the identification of the potential sources of exposure, several bulk and air samplings were performed in the areas where the contamination was suspected. All air samplings were collected on membrane filters and analyzed by phase contrast optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. During the course of the samplings, the schools were in operation and normal student activities took place. Most of the results provided no significant evidence of airborne asbestos fibers, although some dispersion was found in a few school buildings where, during the past years, monitoring and safety programs had not been implemented.