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EVALUATION OF THREE CLEANING METHODS FOR REMOVING ASBESTOS FROM CARPET. DETERMINATION OF AIRBORNE ASBESTOS CONCENTRATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH METHOD
Citation:
Kominsky, J. R., R. W. Freyberg, AND K. A. Brackett. EVALUATION OF THREE CLEANING METHODS FOR REMOVING ASBESTOS FROM CARPET. DETERMINATION OF AIRBORNE ASBESTOS CONCENTRATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH METHOD. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-93/155 (NTIS 93-218568), 1993.
Description:
This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of three cleaning methods to remove asbestos from contaminated carpet and to determine the airborne asbestos concentrations associated with the use of each method. The carpet on which the methods were tested was naturally contaminated over a period of approximately 15 to 20 years from fallout of asbestos-containing material in ceiling tiles and fireproofing. Baseline measurements showed an average concentration of 1.6 billion asbestos structures per square foot of carpet. The effectiveness of dry vacuuming using vacuum cleaners with and without a high-efficiency paniculate air filter was compared with that of wet cleaning using a hot-water extraction cleaner. Overall, wet cleaning with a hot-water extraction cleaner reduced the level of asbestos contamination in the carpet by approximately 60 percent. No significant evidence was found to indicate either an increase or a decrease in carpet asbestos concentration after dry vacuuming. Airborne asbestos concentrations were approximately 1.3 to 2 times greater during than before the carpet cleaning activities. The type of cleaner used did not greatly affect the difference between the airborne asbestos concentration before and during cleaning. Personal breathing zone concentrations did not exceed the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) action level of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air. A reduction in the amount of asbestos in the carpet would suggest a possible reduction in the potential exposure to custodial workers and building occupants. International Technology Corporation submitted this document to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development, Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, in fulfillment of Contract No. 68-CO-0016. The report covers the period from March 1991 to March 1992, and work was completed as of March 31, 1992.