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| Asbestos by PCM |
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a general name applied to a group of 6 different fibrous
minerals that occur naturally in the earth. These minerals are
Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidilite, Tremolite, Actinolite, and
Anthophylite. The name was given to this group of minerals due to
their resistance to high temperatures, high tensile strength,
flexibility, and electrical resistance. These fibrous minerals vary in
length and may be straight or curled. They can be so small that they
are invisible to the naked eye. Asbestos fibers do not have any
detectable odor or taste. Chrysotile is the most common type of
asbestos found in buildings. It is commonly referred to as "White
Asbestos" because of its natural color. Amosite is the second most
likely found asbestos in buildings. It is also known as "Brown
Asbestos.
Where is it found?
Asbestos is used in a wide variety of building materials and building
components during the twentieth century. Products containing
asbestos are commonly referred to as "Asbestos Containing
Materials" (ACM). Some of the building materials that contain
asbestos are:
What are the dangers of asbestos exposure?
Asbestos is hazardous when inhaled and there are no known safe
exposure limits. When asbestos containing materials deteriorate or
are damaged, asbestos fibers are released into the air. Fibers that are
inhaled can lodge and remain in the lungs. Asbestos can also be
ingested by eating food that fibers have fallen into though this type
of exposure has not been clearly documented.
Asbestos fibers have been shown to cause many illnesses. Asbestosis
is a non-cancerous respiratory disease in which inhaled fibers cause
aggravation of the lung tissue that leads to scarring. This scarring
causes shortness of breath and a crackling sound while inhaling. It
has also been reported to cause cardiac failure in advanced cases.
Asbestos also causes Mesothelioma which is a rare form of cancer
that effects the membrane lining of the lungs, chest and abdomen.
Especially at risk are occupationally exposed workers (mainly in the
construction industry and asbestos mining and manufacturing) and
children who will retain any inhaled fibers for decades. It has been
shown that smokers that have been exposed to asbestos have an
even greater chance of developing cancer. Asbestos exposure may
also be linked to cancer of the stomach, intestines and rectum.
What method is used for airborne asbestos fiber analysis?
Phase-contrast microscopy (PCM), an optical microscopy method, is
used to perform fiber counts on air sample filters. The advantages of
this method are that it is inexpensive and it has a fast turnaround
time. The disadvantages for PCM analysis are that it cannot resolve
all asbestos fibers and it cannot distinguish asbestos fibers from
other fibers. Also, fibers less than 0.25 microns in diameter will not
be detected with this method.
There are five different types of air samples that are collected on
asbestos abatement projects.
Type of air sample Project
Asbestos is a general name applied to a group of 6 different fibrous
minerals that occur naturally in the earth. These minerals are
Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidilite, Tremolite, Actinolite, and
Anthophylite. The name was given to this group of minerals due to
their resistance to high temperatures, high tensile strength,
flexibility, and electrical resistance. These fibrous minerals vary in
length and may be straight or curled. They can be so small that they
are invisible to the naked eye. Asbestos fibers do not have any
detectable odor or taste. Chrysotile is the most common type of
asbestos found in buildings. It is commonly referred to as "White
Asbestos" because of its natural color. Amosite is the second most
likely found asbestos in buildings. It is also known as "Brown
Asbestos.
Where is it found?
Asbestos is used in a wide variety of building materials and building
components during the twentieth century. Products containing
asbestos are commonly referred to as "Asbestos Containing
Materials" (ACM). Some of the building materials that contain
asbestos are:
- Acoustic Insulation Wall texture
Fire-proofing Spackle
Joint Compound Attic and wall insulation
Plaster Resilient flooring
Mastic Recessed lighting fixtures
Duct tape Wiring
Boiler blocking Fire doors
Piping insulation Vibration damping cloth
Building panels Piping joints
Siding Gaskets
Valve packing and insulation Water proofing puddy
Window caulking concrete Swimming pool plaster
Shingles Roofing felt and tar
Door insulation Stucco
Mortar Black Boards
Lab benches Exhaust hoods
Flashing Textured paint
Duct insulation Exhaust pipe
Asbestos cement pipe, shingles,
panels, siding (Transite tm)
What are the dangers of asbestos exposure?
Asbestos is hazardous when inhaled and there are no known safe
exposure limits. When asbestos containing materials deteriorate or
are damaged, asbestos fibers are released into the air. Fibers that are
inhaled can lodge and remain in the lungs. Asbestos can also be
ingested by eating food that fibers have fallen into though this type
of exposure has not been clearly documented.
Asbestos fibers have been shown to cause many illnesses. Asbestosis
is a non-cancerous respiratory disease in which inhaled fibers cause
aggravation of the lung tissue that leads to scarring. This scarring
causes shortness of breath and a crackling sound while inhaling. It
has also been reported to cause cardiac failure in advanced cases.
Asbestos also causes Mesothelioma which is a rare form of cancer
that effects the membrane lining of the lungs, chest and abdomen.
Especially at risk are occupationally exposed workers (mainly in the
construction industry and asbestos mining and manufacturing) and
children who will retain any inhaled fibers for decades. It has been
shown that smokers that have been exposed to asbestos have an
even greater chance of developing cancer. Asbestos exposure may
also be linked to cancer of the stomach, intestines and rectum.
What method is used for airborne asbestos fiber analysis?
Phase-contrast microscopy (PCM), an optical microscopy method, is
used to perform fiber counts on air sample filters. The advantages of
this method are that it is inexpensive and it has a fast turnaround
time. The disadvantages for PCM analysis are that it cannot resolve
all asbestos fibers and it cannot distinguish asbestos fibers from
other fibers. Also, fibers less than 0.25 microns in diameter will not
be detected with this method.
There are five different types of air samples that are collected on
asbestos abatement projects.
Type of air sample Project
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