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Airborne asbestos in buildings
1RJ Lee Group, Inc., 350 Hochberg Road, Monroeville, PA 15146, USA.
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology : RTP
|November 17, 2007
Summary
Airborne asbestos concentrations in buildings nationwide are low, even in structures with asbestos-containing materials (ACM). This study found no significant health risk to building occupants from airborne asbestos.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Occupational Health
- Building Science
Background:
- Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are present in many buildings nationwide.
- Litigation concerning potential health hazards from ACM exposure is common.
- Accurate measurement of airborne asbestos is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify nationwide airborne asbestos concentrations in buildings with ACM.
- To assess the potential health risks to building occupants.
- To compare indoor asbestos levels with outdoor background concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 3978 indoor air samples from 752 buildings using transmission electron microscopy.
- Sampling conducted over approximately 32 man-years.
- Comparison of results with established regulatory levels and outdoor background concentrations.
Main Results:
- The average concentration of airborne asbestos structures was 0.01 structures/ml.
- The average concentration of airborne asbestos fibers >= 5 micrometers (microm) long was 0.00012 fibers/ml (f/ml).
- 99.9% of samples had <0.01 f/ml for fibers longer than 5 microm; no building averaged above 0.004 f/ml.
- Asbestos was not detected in 27% of buildings; 90% had no optically detectable asbestos (> or = 5 microm long and > or = 0.25 microm wide).
- Background outdoor concentrations were 0.0003 f/ml (>= 5 microm).
Conclusions:
- In-place ACM does not lead to elevated airborne asbestos levels in buildings.
- Building occupants are not at a significantly increased risk from airborne asbestos.
- Current asbestos management practices appear effective in maintaining safe indoor air quality.
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