Abstract
Asbestos containing materials (ACM) have been used for decades in research laboratory products including gloves, tong sleeves, Transite board, and other materials. These materials typically contain chrysotile asbestos with concentrations ranging up to 80%. The objective of this research was to evaluate asbestos exposure from gloves, tong sleeves, and Transite board with simulated laboratory use. An environmental chamber was used to simulate laboratory application of the products. Bulk samples of various products were tested before and after use. Personal breathing zone air samples as well as one cumulative air sample were collected during testing and followed the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 7400/7402 methodologies. Phase contrast microscopy (PCM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for sample analyses. Analysis of air samples using PCM, showed airborne fiber concentrations as high as 0.058 f/cc during use of tongs fitted with asbestos sleeves. Further analysis using TEM showed that the highest airborne fiber concentration was 0.0036 f/cc. Manipulation of Transite board resulted in 8-hour time-weighted-average (TWA) asbestos levels as high as 0.02 f/cc. Testing of various asbestos containing materials used in research laboratories indicate low potential for asbestos fiber exposures.
Highlights
Asbestos is a generic term given to the fibrous variety of six naturally occurring minerals that have been used in a variety of commercial products
Asbestos-containing products including gloves, tong sleeves, and Transite board were evaluated during the study
All items tested had between 30% to 45% chrysotile asbestos, except for the Transite board, which had only 10% chrysotile
Summary
Asbestos is a generic term given to the fibrous variety of six naturally occurring minerals that have been used in a variety of commercial products. This fibrous material has been used as a component in thousands of construction, industrial, and household products including roofing and siding shingles, friction products in automobile parts, thermal systems insulation and electrical wiring, personal protective gear, and in certain laboratory equipment components [1]. There have been concerns that exposure to asbestos outside the high exposure, insulation environment may have been elevated enough to lead to asbestos-related disease, lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma Among these low-exposure occupations are laboratory workers
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