Selecting Appropriate Analytical Methods to Characterize Asbestos in Various Media
Publication: Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management
Volume 13, Issue 4
Abstract
Methods for the measurement and analysis of asbestos and other fibers in air, water, dust, and bulk materials vary by type of scenario and according to applicable laws and rules. Two surveys and a focus group were used to identify the most important information gaps in asbestos exposure assessments. The highest priority gaps were identifying analytical procedures and counting rules needed for asbestos detection; comparing the efficiency of 0.45-micron pore size filters versus 0.8-micron pore size filter media; rating the efficiency of polycarbonate versus mixed cellulose ester filters, and the need for bench-level testing of filters to evaluate fiber collection performance of these filter media. Other key responses included the need for consistency of analytical procedures and counting rules to determine suitable procedures for asbestos detection and quantitation in bulk samples, air, settled dust, and soil for field monitoring and risk analysis; need to identify underlying factors and physical dynamics that lead to aerosolization of fibers from bulk materials in various exposure pathways. The pore size of filters used in collecting fibers was identified as a key asbestos measurement uncertainty. Thus, a study is recommended to compare postpreparation asbestos fiber retention on mixed cellulose ester and polycarbonate filters.
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Acknowledgments and Disclaimer
This is the last publication of Mike Beard, who passed in 2008. He was a leader in the fields of asbestos characterization and abatement control. His knowledge and wisdom, as well as his wonderful smile and contagious optimism, will be greatly missed. The writers thank the asbestos coordinators in the 10 regional offices of the USEPA. In particular, Julie Wroble, Mark Maddaloni, and Mary Goldade for their insights and reviews of data and preliminary information that underpin this paper. Teri Conner, Brian Schumacher, Robert Vanderpool, and Ross Highsmith of EPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory, John Kominsky of Environmental Quality Management, Inc., and Owen Crankshaw of RTI International provided scientific insights and leadership that strengthened this research. This report was submitted in fulfillment of Contract No. UNSPECIFIED68-C-00-186, Task Order No. 0020 by Environmental Quality Management, Inc. under the sponsorship of the USEPA. The information in this document has been funded wholly by the USEPA under Contract No. 68-C-00-186, Task Order No. 0020 to Environmental Quality Management, Inc. It has been subjected to the agency's peer and administrative review and has been approved for publication.UNSPECIFIED
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management
Volume 13 • Issue 4 • October 2009
Pages: 249 - 260
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Jan 4, 2008
Accepted: Nov 4, 2008
Published online: Sep 15, 2009
Published in print: Oct 2009
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