You are here:
Releasable Asbestos Field Sampler and a Breathing Zone Model for Risk Assessment
Citation:
BARRETT, W. M., J. Thornburg, AND J. Kominsky. Releasable Asbestos Field Sampler and a Breathing Zone Model for Risk Assessment. Presented at ASTM Michael E. Beard Asbestos Conference 2010: Laboratory Issues, San Antonio, TX, January 29, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
Asbestos aerosolization (or releasability) is the potential for asbestos structures to become airborne when the source is disturbed. The source can be naturally occurring asbestos in soil, mine tailings in the soil at brownfield sites, vermiculite attic insulation in indoor environments. The aerosolization rate (structure per second) from the matrix is a function of the force applied, asbestos loading, and environmental conditions. Asbestos aerosolization relates to our ability to predict inhalation exposure (and associated health risk) from asbestos fibers in a matrix. How do you accurately characterize the breathing zone concentration distribution for risk assessment, especially the most highly exposed portion of the population? Activity Based Sampling (ABS) is the current standard method to provide data. How representative is the data? Can a less expensive method be developed?
