Exposure to airborne asbestos associated with simulated cable installation above a suspended ceiling

Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1991 Nov;52(11):479-84. doi: 10.1080/15298669191365081.

Abstract

Installing cable above a suspended ceiling in the presence of asbestos-containing fireproofing is an example of an activity that may disturb in-place asbestos and associated dust and debris. Two simulations of cable installation were conducted in a room of an unoccupied school to test the extent of such disturbance and resulting elevations in airborne asbestos. Average airborne asbestos concentrations in the room increased over 500-fold during the simulations, with several samples exceeding 50 structures per cubic centimeter (s/cm3), as measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with an indirect preparation technique. Elevated concentrations persisted during a subsequent cleaning of horizontal surfaces in the room and for several hours thereafter. Personal samples collected on the cable installers yielded TEM measurements averaging approximately 68 s/cm3 for the two simulations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Asbestos / analysis*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Schools

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Asbestos