&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Pestcides and
Toxic Substances
Washington DC 20460
EPA-560/13-80-0 26
August 1980
Pesticides and Toxic Substances
Measurement of
Asbestos Air Pollution
Inside Buildings
Sprayed with Asbestos
Parish
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EPA 560/13-80-026
August 1980
MEASUREMENT OF ASBESTOS AIR POLLUTION
INSIDE BUILDING SPRAYED WITH ASBESTOS
P. SEBASTIEN^, M.A. BILLION-GALLAND*1 ^ , G. DUFOUR*1*,
and J. BIGNON
(2)
' 'Laboratories d1Etude des Particules Inhalees.
Direction des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales de Paris.
44, Rue Charles Moureu - 75013 PARIS
(2 )
v 'Institut de Recherches Universitaires sur 1'Environnement
Universite Paris-Val de Marne
40, Avenue de Verdun - 94010 CRETEIL
Report to the "Ministere de la Sante (Grant No 3096)" and to the
"Ministere de la Qualite de la Vie. Environnement"(Grant No 206)
1977
French report adapted under
Contract No. 68-01-5915
and by
Joseph J. Breen
Marion C. Blois
Task Managers
Survey and Analysis Division
Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Survey and Analysis
Division of the Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publication.
Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect
the views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
11
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ABSTRACT
This report is a translation of a document prepared in
1977 for the French Ministry of Health and the French Ministry
for the Quality of Life-Environment on the measurement and
assessment of airborne asbestos levels in buildings throughout
Paris. The methods of air sampling and transmission electron
microscopic analysis, as well as a discussion of the results,
are presented. Also included are extensive tables and figures
summarizing the data collected. The study was completed in 1977
by the Laboratoire d1 Etude des Particules Inhale'es (Prefecture
de Paris) and the Institut de Recherches Universitaires Sur
1'Environnement (Universite Paris-Val de Marne). Mr. Patrick
Sebestien (Prefecture de Paris) provided this revised update of
the study in July 1980.
Ill
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IV
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PREFACE
The Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPTS) encourages
international cooperation and collaboration on the measurement
and control of toxic chemicals. In this spirit, OPTS's Survey
and Analysis Division (SAD) has been collaborating with the
Prefecture de Paris, Laboratoire d'Etude des Particules Inhalees,
and the Universite Paris-Val de Marne on the measurement and
assessment of airborne asbestos levels in schools and public
buildings.
The mutual interest of both the French and American groups in
dealing with the asbestos indoor pollution problem has resulted
in an open and continuing exchange of information and data from
their respective efforts. This document represents one result of
this cooperative interaction. Dr. Bignon and Mr. Sebastien have
made their report to the French Ministries available to SAD and
have obtained permission for the publication of its English
translation as an EPA report.
The translation has been cited as a major reference in the
OTS technical support document for the Asbestos-In-Schools
Identification and Notification Rule. This report and other
publications by Bignon and Sebastien constitute a significant
portion of the transmission electron microscopy data available on
asbestos indoor air pollution.
v
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VI
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CONTENTS
Abstract
Preface
Figures
Tables
1. Introduction And Objectives ........... 1
2. Methods ..................... 4
2.1. Sampling .................. 4
2.2. Descriptive Study of Sprayed Buildings ... 5
2.3. Air Sampling ................ 10
2.4. Analysis .................. H
3. Results ..................... 12
3.1. Background Levels of Ambient Airborne
Asbestos Pollution ............. 12
3.2. Levels of Indoor Airborne Asbestos
Pollution in Sprayed Buildings ....... 14
3.3. Descriptive Study of Sprayed Buildings ... 16
3.4. Measurements after Corrective Action ..... 19
4. Discussion .................... 21
4.1. Mechanisms for the Generation
of Indoor Airborne Asbestos Pollution .... 21
4.2. Significance of Measurement Results ..... 25
4.3. Measurements of Airborne Asbestos
Pollution in the Environment
with the Transmission Electron
Microscope and Regulatory
Considerations ............... 26
5. Summary and Conclusions .............. 27
References ..... ........ .......... 30
vi i
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Vlll
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TABLES
Number pag<
I. Sampling 32
II. Description of Sprayed Buildings Studied
and Their Recorded Pollution Level 33
III. Levels (ng/m3) of Ambient Airborne
Asbestos Pollution in Paris 58
IV. The Levels of Indoor Airborne Asbestos
Pollution in Control Buildings 59
V. Levels of Indoor Airborne Asbestos
Pollution in Sprayed Buildings 60
VI. Descriptive Data on Polluted and
Non-Polluted Buildings 63
VII. Indoor Pollution after Protection
or Removal of Sprayed Materials 64
VIII. Modes of Emission and the Levels
of Indoor Pollution 65
IX. Levels of Air Pollution with
Asbestos in Different Situations 65
IX
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X
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FIGURES
Number Page
1. Statistical Distribution of Values for
the Background Levels of Ambient Airborne
Asbestos Pollution in Urban Centers 13
2. Levels of Indoor Airborne Asbestos
Pollution In Sprayed Buildings 15
3. Mechanisms for Identifying Indoor
Pollution Generated by Sprayed Asbestos 22
XI
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Xll
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1. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
Asbestos has been classified as a pollutant of the first
category by the World Health Organization and by the Commission
of the European Community. Measurements of atmospheric pollution
by asbestos in the environment and epidemiological observations
have shown that the health risks from ambient exposure to
asbestos can be found outside the work place. The problems
related to hazards to public health posed by the use of asbestos
have been discussed in a document of the European Community—/.
The building industry utilizes asbestos on a large scale:
asbestos-cement, insulating materials (thermal, electrical, or
acoustic), additives for floor coverings or wall coverings,
filters for ventilation, and sprayed insulation._ The procedure
of insulating by spraying mineral fibers was introduced in the
U.S. in 19321/.
There are many sprayed materials which differ in their
compositions and the manner in which they have been applied. The
fibers used are generally a mixture of synthetic fibers (glass
wool, mineral wool) and asbestos fibers. The proportion of
asbestos in these mixtures ranges from 0 to 100%.
The sprayed asbestos insulation is utilized for fire
protection, thermal and sound insulation, decoration, and
condensation control. The cost of spraying is less than the
cost of insulating by conventional means. The sprayed insula-
tion ensures a uniform protective coating without joints, it
can be applied quickly and easily, and it weighs less.
Unfortunately, the spraying with asbestos brings up a
series of problems in both the areas of industrial hygiene and
environmental pollution. For example:
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A. Its use exposes the workers who apply the insulation
to high concentrations of asbestos fibers—/.
B. During this work, the atmospheric pollution in the
vicinity of sites of work is abnormally high—/.
C. The workers actually spraying the insulation are not
the only workers exposed. A whole series of other
workers such as electricians, plumbers, and painters
can inhale the dust they produce while working on the
insulation material—/.
D. The problems related to the pollution with asbestos
do not end with the completion of the construction.
Indoor pollution also occurs due to degradation of
the insulation material exposing the users of the
build ingliJL/.
E. There are several technical means to prevent this
indoor pollution but neither the efficiency nor the
long-term effectiveness of these methods has been
thoroughly tested.
F. The destruction of the insulation due to demolition or
modifications of the buildings causes considerable
pollution—/.
Facing the multiple problems set up by spraying insulating
materials containing asbestos, some countries, such as the United
States, have forbidden the spraying of insulation materials con-
taining more than one percent of asbestos.!/. Similar regulations
have been recently established in France.* However, the present
*Decret n 78-394 du 20 mars 1978 relatif a 1'emploi des fibres
d'amiante pour le flocage des batiments. Journal Officiel De La
Republique Francaise. 23 Mars 1978, p. 1279.
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or future problems associated with existing insulation still
2
remain. It is estimated that, to date, about 4,500,000 m have
been insulated with sprayed asbestos materials in France-/.
The "Laboratoire d'Etude des Particules Inhalees" has
developed a program for the measurement of the levels of air
pollution in the areas insulated by sprayed asbestos materials.
This program has been partially financed by the Ministery of the
Quality of Life and by the Ministery of Health. The following
objectives have been established:
1. To conduct an "investigative survey" to compare the
levels of indoor airborne asbestos pollution found in
these buildings with the levels of airborne asbestos
pollution which have been measured in other circum-
stances.
2. To make a list of different factors contributing to
indoor airborne asbestos pollution.
3. To specify mechanisms involved in the generation of
indoor asbestos pollution associated with sprayed
asbestos materials.
4. To evaluate the effectiveness of several technical
procedures aimed at reducing the release of asbestos
from the sprayed surfaces.
5. To assess the exposure of the general public to indoor
airborne asbestos pollution resulting from the use of
sprayed materials.
6. To propose measurement criteria which could serve as a
basis for regulation.
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2. METHODS
2.1. Sampling
There are two phenomena which could lead to the pollution of
indoor ambient air:
- The activity of an interior source of emission.
The influence of the exterior atmospheric pollution.
Measurements have shown that for some pollutants, the
internal levels may be higher than the external
levels—/.
Ambient airborne asbestos pollution by asbestos is rela-
tively well known—/: there exists, notably in large urban
centers, a general pollution level to which local higher concen-
trations, often related to sources of industrial emissions, are
added.
In order to compare indoor and outdoor airborne asbestos
pollution, the following sampling and analysis program has been
carried out (Table I):
- Measurements were made in the vicinity of ten build-
ings sprayed with asbestos to verify that these sites
were not located in areas of elevated ambient asbestos
concentrations.
- Measured levels of ambient airborne asbestos pollution
in Paris have been reviewed to permit an estimation of
the background asbestos levels in the metropolitan
areas where the buildings studied were located.
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Control buildings (buildings not containing sprayed
asbestos insulation) were sampled to compare the as-
bestos levels inside the control buildings with the
outside ambient air.
All the activities of the "Laboratoire d' Etude des Parti-
cules Inhalees" at the designated sites were made after written
inquiries were submitted to the "Direction des Affaires Sani-
taires et Sociales de Paris". In addition, within the framework
of the contract with the Ministry of Health, some of the air
sampling was conducted by the "Centre Scientifique et Technique
du Batiment". These points are mentioned to emphasize that the
buildings were not chosen by statistically representative random
sampling. The results have been analyzed retrospectively.
2.2. Descriptive Study of Sprayed Buildings
Despite the fact that the field of construction materials
does not represent an area of expertise for this Laboratory,
certain technical information was collected in order to enable us
eventually to correlate the measured levels of indoor airborne
asbestos with the architectural data. Following a literature
") 6 8 /
survey ^/0/0/, it appeared that the following parameters were of
interest:
a. Composition of the sprayed materials:
Given the diversity of materials used, the most accurate
information would be supplied by the builder. Unfortunately, in
the majority of the cases studied, this information was not
available. In all instances, samples of materials taken from the
sites have been analyzed with a polarizing light microscope to
determine the presence of asbestos. This method allowed us to
distinguish without any confusion between the asbestos fibers
(amphibole or chrysotile) and the glass fibers which are usually
mixed in these materials. However, the above protocol did not
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allow us to determine the percentage of the asbestos fibers in
these materials. There are other methods which are more quanti-
tative, but slower, such as x-ray diffraction and differential
thermal analysis; however, the use of these methods is hindered
by the complex matrix of the sprayed insulation materials. (The
materials usually contain 5 to 30% asbestos besides mineral wool,
clay binders, and synthetic resins.)
Not all the materials sampled contained asbestos. Such
sites have therefore been treated as control sites. The use of
the microscopic method has allowed us to document the heteroge-
neous distribution of the asbestos fibers in the sprayed insula-
tion materials. It was necessary to analyze several samples from
the same insulation material in order to document the presence of
asbestos.
b. The method of spraying the insulating material:
The following two techniques have been used:
- Dry spraying, where the fibers and the binder are
carded, then drawn in by suction, and wetted only at
the exit through the nozzle of the sprayer. This
technique is known to produce a friable sprayed mate-
rial or a "soft sprayed material."
Paste spraying, where the fibers are mixed with a
wetted binder. These sprayed materials generally have
a plaster base. Such types of insulation are usually
much harder and heavier and, as a consequence, these
characteristics must be considered for in planning the
structure of a building.
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c. The cohesion of the sprayed material:
Some authors!/ claim that the visual examination of the
surface of the insulation (in particular, the soft spray type)
allows one to assess the cohesion of the sprayed material. This
is possible in those cases where delamination of portions of the
sprayed insulation is visible. However/ visual inspection is of
little use when faced with situations involving microscopic deg-
radation of the insulation material.
In fact, the cohesion of the sprayed material is a parameter
which we find difficult to evaluate; it depends both on the
nature of the material and on its support as well as on the meth-
od of application.
d. The insulation material's potential to contaminate and
degrade as a function of its location:
The surface area covered by a sprayed material within a
building is an important parameter. Maximum surface area is
attained when both the walls and ceilings are sprayed; in other
buildings only the ceilings or the metal beams (horizontal or
vertical) are sprayed. Independent from any degradation of the
sprayed material, the possibilities of contamination of the
ambient air can be different, depending upon the plan of the
building and the location of the sprayed insulation. Accord-
ingly, we have encountered four distinct configurations:
Exposed sprayed material without protection, directly
in contact with ambient air.
Protected sprayed material (double ceiling, encasing
of vertical parts). In this case, the lack of air-
tightness could lead to contamination of the ambient
air.
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Sprayed material within the ventilation circuit. In
buildings equipped with an air conditioning system/
the air returns can occur between the sprayed surface
and the suspended ceiling. Accordingly, if the air is
being recycled in the building, the contamination of
the air in the building is therefore possible.
- Sprayed material in neighboring areas. In this case
the sprayed material is not located in rooms generally
used by the occupants of the buildings but is found in
adjacent technical service space. Circulation of the
air between the two areas can lead to contamination of
the occupied space.
The potential possibilities for the degradation of sprayed
materials can be related to the different types of structural
configurations mentioned above. Thus, exposed sprayed materials
could be degraded by mechanical impact. In the same way, sprayed
materials in air returns are subject to degradation due to the
forced circulation of air.
e. Activities in the building:
Certain work environments (such as machine shops) can pro-
duce structural vibrations and mechanical shocks of the insula-
tion which can lead to its degradation. In addition, the
activity of personnel in a given area contributes to reentrain-
ment of the asbestos debris.
f. Air renewal in the buildings:
This is a general parameter which influences all types of
pollution resulting from a source located within the building.
One can wonder, nevertheless, if the air movements associated
with the air renewal do not play a role in the degradation of the
sprayed material.
8
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g. Building maintenance:
The degradation of the sprayed asbestos material is
increased if, during building maintenance (replacement or modifi-
cation of the ventilation ducts, electrical wiring, plumbing,
etc.), the sprayed material is subjected to mechanical shocks.
The cleaning services provided in a building is another factor to
be considered; the accumulation of dust in places difficult to
reach represents a potential risk for contamination.
h. Protective measures:
In some of the buildings studied, work has been done in
order to prevent the emission of fibers from the insulation. The
effectiveness of such measures has been studied by analyzing the
levels of pollution before and after these operations.
The descriptive data collected to date are qualitative and
quite approximate. A preliminary survey using a standardized
questionnaire to be completed by the occupants of the building
was attempted but promptly abandoned:
The questionnaire requested detailed information on
the construction and repair of the building which was
not available to the participants completing the form.
The participants considered the questionnaire to be
too technical and too precise in the information re-
quested.
The validity of the information gathered was placed in
doubt because it was addressed to the users of build-
ings rather than to the builders. Moreover, the
11 Labor a to ire d1 Etude des Particules Inhalees" did not
-------
have the needed know-how to judge the validity of the
construction materials data gathered.
The response time of survey participants was generally
too long to be of value.
It was found that the diversity of the situations
encountered made it difficult to match the on-site
observations with entries on the standardized ques-
tionnaire.
2.3. Air Sampling
Several sampling sites were established in each building.
The number of these sites was a function of the homogeneity of
the sprayed materials as well as the use and structural charac-
teristics for each site. In the study conducted for the Ministry
of Health, four indoor and two outdoor sampling sites were estab-
lished in each building. The samples were taken so as to insure
that they would provide an estimate of exposure to the occupants
of those buildings, i.e:
- The air sampling devices were installed in the activ-
ity areas at about 1.5 meters above the ground.
They functioned simultaneously during normal work
periods.
Airborne particles were collected on membrane filters,
nominal porosity 0.45/
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2.4. Analysis
The method of analysis was developed according to the recom-
mendations of the C.C.Eil/ (Commission of the European Community)
and consisted of the following:
Destruction of the filter and of the organic particles
by ashing at low temperatures.
Recovery of the ashes in a liquid phase.
Dispersion of the particles by ultra-sonification.
- Separation of the phases by microfiltration.
Preparation of grids by direct transfer for the trans-
mission electron microscope (TEM).
Observation of an area of the prepared grid by means
of the TEM with a direct magnification of 30,000
times.
Identification of the asbestos fibers by means of
morphologic examination, selected area electron dif-
fraction, and energy dispersive spectrometry.
Measurement of the dimensions (length and diameter) of
the fiber.
Integration of the morphometric data and the expres-
sion of the pollution mass by mass concentration of
asbestos per cubic meter of sampled air.
The detection limit using this method is estimated to be 10~10g
asbestos per m3 of air. The statistical validity of the results
was automatically controlled as the preparation was being
11
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observed. The raorphometric data were continuously recorded on a
calculator which performed the gravimetric integration and indi-
cated the 95% confidence interval. The area of a given sample
preparation observed was a function of the homogeneity of the
fiber distribution on the preparation. Sample examination was
stopped when the precision of the measurement was less than
50%. In some cases, precision below 30% could be obtained.
The analysis of one sample requires about six person hours.
3. RESULTS
The results corresponding to different parts of the sampling
program are presented in Tables II, III, and IV.
3.1. Background Levels of Ambient Airborne Asbestos
Pollution
The results from Table III show that there is background
pollution with chrysotile asbestos in the air of Paris. The
concentrations are quite consistent and are distributed within a
narrow range where 10 ng/m represents the upper limit.
The measurements of ambient airborne asbestos pollution in
the vicinity of ten sprayed asbestos buildings as well as the
measurements inside the seven control buildings did not reveal
any differences from the background levels observed throughout
Paris. Given these results, the following conclusions have been
made:
The background ambient airborne asbestos pollution is
due only to chrysotile asbestos.
- The background pollution levels throughout Paris are
relatively uniform.
12
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The sprayed asbestos buildings studied were not
located in areas with pollution levels higher than
ambient background levels.
Differences between the background airborne asbestos
levels and the indoor ambient levels of the control
buildings have not been detected.
The background asbestos levels are statistically dis-
tributed. Factors influencing distribution include:
sampling site, period of sampling, meteorological
conditions, techniques of sampling, and analytical
errors.
Keeping these observations in mind, all the measurements
relating to background pollution (background measurements in
Paris, measurements outside the sprayed buildings, and measure-
ments inside the control buildings) have been pooled and ana-
lyzed. The statistical distribution of the 161 measurements is
presented in Figure 1 (see below).
99
98.
95
90
U
c
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Examining this figure* the following comments can be made:
The measurements of the background chrysotile levels are
log-normally distributed over the interval 0.1 - 10
ng/m .
The arithmetic mean is 0.96 ng/m3.
The geometric mean is 0.47 ng/m3.
99% of the values are below 7 ng/m3.
- The value of 7 ng/m has been chosen as a statistical
limiting value (SLV) for the background levels in
Paris. Any measurement greater than 7 ng/m may be
considered to represent a pollution level greater than
the background.
It was important to have adequate analytical data on the
background levels in Paris in order to properly assess indoor
asbestos levels associated with sprayed materials.
3.2. Levels of Indoor Airborne Abestos Pollution in Sprayed
Buildings
Measurements inside sprayed buildings are presented in Table
V. Only those results corresponding to the samples taken during
periods of normal activity within the buildings are reported. In
this Table, concentrations of chrysotile and amphibole have been
added together. The presence of amphibole fibers in an air sample
which differs from the background level of chrysotile is evidence
for a specific source of pollution.
Figure 2 (see p. 15) is a schematic representation of the
results presented in Table V. The buildings have been ranked in the
order of increasing geometric mean.
14
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•
i
BUILDING "S"
+ BUILDING "C"
o
o
O
o
o
"T"
BUILDING
BUILDING "0"
+ BUILDING "G
+ BUILDING "M"
• . BUILDING "J"
+ BUILDING "P"
BUILDING "D*
FIG. 2 - LEVELS OF INDOOR
AIRBORNE ASBESTOS POLLUTION
OF SPRAYED BUILDINGS
I Geometric mean value
• Arithmetic mean value.
Maximum measured level
* BUILDING "H"
BUILDING "0"
BUILDING " R"
BUILDING "A" Tel.
BUILDING "A" |t.
BUILDING "A" .Ss,
*- • +
BUILDING " P"
• BUILDING "B
BUILDING "K"
»-• .-I-
BUILDING "N"
BUILDING "L"
BUILDING HE"
GENERAL POLLUTION BACKGROUND
15
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It Is seen that the 21 buildings studied divide into two
groups:
For 9 buildings, the maximum values were not higher
than the SLV (statistical limiting value) of 7 ng/m3.
It should also be noted that the geometric and arith-
metic mean values were not significantly different
from the mean background values.
For each of the other 12 buildings studied, at least
one value higher than 7 ng/m3 has been recorded.
Also, the geometric and arithmetic mean values were
significantly higher than the mean background values.
These observations allow an initial distinction between
polluted and nonpolluted buildings. It appears that the geomet-
ric mean value is a good indication of the overall pollution of a
building given the homogeneity of the two groups identified above
(see Figure 2). It should be noted that there is an unequivocal
correspondence between the buildings where the maximum value
measured exceeds the SLV of 7 ng/m3 and the buildings where the
two mean values (arithmetic and geometric) are significantly
different from the mean background levels. This statistical
differentiation between polluted and nonpolluted buildings was
observed even in cases where only three measurements were made.
3.3 Descriptive Study of Sprayed Buildings
The relevant data gathered by the descriptive survey are
reported in Table VI. It has been established that the several
technical factors which are responsible for the pollution of a
building always ,act simultaneously. In order to identify the
more important factors contributing to the level of asbestos
pollution, a statistical analysis should be conducted using mul-
tiple variables, more consistent data on construction materials
16
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and methods,'and a larger number of samples. Nevertheless, the
results tabulated in Table VI do provide insight into assessing
indoor airborne asbestos pollution.
Spraying procedure
In this study, it has been found that dry spraying has been
used more frequently (15 cases) than wet spraying (6 cases).
Both types of sprayed materials were found in polluted and non-
polluted buildings. These observations do not agree with those
made by NICHOLSON^/ who reported that the "hard sprays",
resulting from wet spraying, were nonpolluting. However, it
should be noted that the "soft sprays" are more common in
polluted buildings.
Cohesion of the insulation
It was difficult to evaluate rigorously the cohesion of the
insulation materials. However, it might be considered that the
observations of visual degradation (visible flaking, deposits of
dust) of the sprayed materials would indicate elevated asbestos
levels. Indeed, Table VI reveals, with one exception, that each
time damage was observed the measurements indicated asbestos
levels greater than 7 ng/m . It should, however, be noted that
no such degradation was observed in five out of twelve buildings
with elevated asbestos levels (greater than 7 ng/m ).
Location of the insulation
Table VI shows that exposed insulation appears to be the
most polluting type, no doubt because of their direct exposure to
the air space and the relative ease with which they may be
disturbed.
17
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We have classified as "protected sprayed material" all those
cases where any barrier was placed between the sprayed surface
and the ambient air. This classification leads to results that
are difficult to interpret since the degree of isolation for such
surfaces was different from case to case.
Sprayed materials within the ventilation systems did not
appear to contribute to elevated asbestos levels. It should be
noted that in several cases the air was not recycled. Since the
air spaces containing asbestos were under negative pressure, the
potential of contaminating the environment within these buildings
was reduced. It is also possible that the air filtration systems
of these buildings play an equally protective role in minimizing
asbestos levels.
Utilization of the area
The activities taking place in the area are a very important
factor and this has been systematically observed during this
study. It has been shown that the measurements were always lower
in the less utilized areas, regardless of the type of building.
This point will be discussed later in connection with the study
on the mechanisms of indoor pollution generated by the sprayed
material.
As a first conclusion of this descriptive study, it can be
said that the polluted buildings are generally those where there
is significant activity and where the insulation is exposed, was
sprayed dry, and shows evident signs of deterioration. A second,
more interesting conclusion concerns the possibility of pre-
dicting the pollution levels in a building based on the observa-
tion of some architectural characteristics. Such an assessment
would avoid the necessity of an extended monitoring program
using transmission electron microscopy of air samples. However,
results of this study show that such an approach with the current
18
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state of knowledge would risk underestimating the number of
polluted buildings.
3.4 Measurements after Corrective Actions
Measurements of airborne asbestos levels in buildings after
work on the insulation materials has been completed are few in
number. Those available are presented in Table VII.
The two examples on the removal (tearing-out) of the insula-
tion reported here indicated levels were always high. With mixed
materials (containing both amphibole and chrysotile fibers) air-
borne amphibole fibers not detected prior to the removal action
were generally detected after the removal of the insulation.
From our limited experience/ the removal of the asbestos
insulation causes not only significant exposure of workers doing
this job, but also the persistence of an elevated airborne as-
bestos level in the building, which is difficult to get rid of
despite numerous clean-up operations. However, certain tech-
niques can be used to limit contamination during the removal
operation (wetting of the material, use of face masks by the
workers, and isolation of the work areas to limit the diffusion
of the asbestos particles).
A detailed technical description of methods used to minimize
the pollution during asbestos insulation removal was published by
SAWYER^/. In France, similar techniques are employed for lim-
iting the exposure of the workers and the diffusion of the
asbestos dust into the neighborhood. However, the removal of the
insulation poses practical problems in certain types of build-
ings. In effect, one of the advantages of sprayed insulation
lies in the fact that the least accessible surfaces can be pro-
tected. In the same way, the same surfaces are difficult to
reach when it comes to stripping and removal.
19
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The removal of the insulation has the advantage that the
source of pollution is removed, but maximum precautions must be
taken to insure that removal operations do not lead either to
exposure of the workers or to a persistant exposure of the occu-
pants of the building after the completion of the work. SAWYER^/
has shown that the pollution levels by large fibers (measured
with a light microscope) fall within 24 hours. However, the
settled large fibers can be fragmented and resuspended by renewed
activities in the building. This is why thorough clean-ups must
be undertaken. The proper disposal of the removed material must
also be considered.
Table VII shows excellent results have been achieved by
protecting the insulation with a layer of plaster on metal. The
deterioration of the insulation can be limited when this protec-
tive layer is installed to the extent that the plaster is not in
contact with the asbestos.
Protection by direct deposition of an organic coating on the
insulation has proven to be less effective. This process may
present the disadvantage of making the lower part of the insula-
tion heavier thus increasing the possibility of its pulling away
from the substrate.
Simple cleaning of the buildings can temporarily reduce the
pollution levels.
The data available are too few to recommend one type of
corrective active over another. The data simply give an indica-
tion of the pollution associated with two types of operations:
removal and enclosure. The "Centre Scientifique et Technique des
Batiment" has proposed different control measures to be used in
correcting asbestos insulation problems.
20
-------
4. DISCUSSIONS
4.1. Mechanisms for the Generation of Indoor Airborne
Asbestos Pollution
Mechanisms for generating indoor airborne asbestos pollution
in sprayed buildings have been studied—/. Three mechanisms can
be identified (Figure 3, see page 22):
-Ml: Loss of fibers by a slow but continuous degradation of
the insulation surface.
-M2: Infrequent but intense emission, when the surface is
subjected to mechanical impact (ventilation/ vibra-
tion, tearing, etc.).
-M3: Secondary emission following reentrainment of ceiling
debris which has accumulated on the floor or other
surfaces after ceiling degradation.
The pollution levels measured are a function of the above
mechanisms, but also depend on the conditions operational during
the use of the building (confined air spaces, air renewal,
etc.). Since the sampling protocol was designed to evaluate
asbestos exposure to building occupants, the samples were taken
during periods of normal building use in the majority of cases.
Under these conditions, a rigorous analytical study of each
factor's contribution is virtually impossible to carry out since
these several factors are acting simultaneously.
However, in certain cases, measurements at the same site
could be made under different conditions (see Table VIII). From
the comparisons between the levels measured and the technical
data collected on site, the following observations can be formu-
lated:
21
-------
Fig. 3
THE MECHANISM FOR IDENTIFYING INDOOR POLLUTION GENERATED
BY SPRAYED ASBESTOS
CONSTANT
EMISSION
AIR MOVEMENTS
VIBRATIONS
THERMAL
VIBRATIONS
INSULATION WITH A MATERIAL CONTAINING ASBESTOS
OCCASIONAL EMISSION CAUSED BY IMPACT
M3
DISPERSION AND SECONDARY
EMISSION DUE TO ACTIVITIES
-------
Samples taken only under Ml conditions always gave
lower levels compared to those taken at the same site
where conditions Ml and M3 were operating. This sug-
gests that Ml involves the localized degradation of
large particles which are not collected under normal
air sampling. Activity in the building seems to in-
sure fragmentation and reentrainment of the fibers
with the resultant elevated airborne fiber levels.
The occasional fiber release by mechanical impacts
(M2) does not always coincide with the sampling period
and the contribution of M2 is therefore difficult to
evaluate. However, M2 leads to the accumulation of
large particles which can subsequently be fragmented
and reentrained by M3 which would significantly "in-
crease the pollution levels. Samples have been taken
after asbestos insulation was removed without taking
any precautionary measures (extreme example of M2).
Table II (Building H and Building T) shows a signifi-
cant increase in pollution which persisted for a long
time even after repeated cleaning of the building.
In certain buildings/ M2 might contribute to the pol-
lution if the insulation is easily accessible (insula-
tion on the walls or on exposed vertical pillars as
well as on the lower surfaces of staircases). This
mechanism is also important during maintenance opera-
tions or installment of light fixtures if workers
disturb the surface of the insulation.
In all the cases studied/ the importance of M3 has
been clearly evident. M3 seems to be the sufficient
condition to establish measurable pollution; the
necessary conditions being provided by Ml and M2.
23
-------
These observations have allowed us to make assumptions on
the mechanism by which pollution is established inside a sprayed
building: sedimentation of a majority of "large" particles
emitted from the sprayed insulation by mechanisms Ml and/or M2,
followed by fragmentation and reentrainment by mechanism M3.
Under these conditions, three levels of action can be envisioned
to counteract indoor asbestos pollution:
Detachment of particles
This phenomenon is dependent on cohesion of the material
and its exposure to the environment. Attempts to avoid surface
degradation of the insulation have been made by coating it with a
layer of paint, latex, or synthetic resin. The American data
indicate a reduction in pollution on the order of 70% with a
latex covering —' . However, we do not have data concerning the
durability of such double coatings over time and in the case of
organic coatings the fire resistance characteristics are compro-
mised. Moreover, the increased weight of the surface layers may
aggrevate the degradation of the insulation. In any case, such
flexible coatings do not protect asbestos insulation against
mechanical impact.
A radical solution is to remove the asbestos insulation.
This procedure generates significant levels of asbestos and
several precautions must be taken: worker protection, isolation
of the work areas, wetting of the material prior to its removal,
removal of the debris in sealed containers, and cleaning of the
work area. Such a complex operation was carried out in the U.S.
at Yale University where 10,000 m of asbestos insulation were
removed. Despite the precautions taken, the removal of the in-
sulation always generates significant asbestos levels, which
experience has shown are difficult to minimize.
24
-------
Sedimentation
The installation of an airtight surface between the asbestos
insulation and the ambient air represents an effective method of
control. In this case/ the insulation is protected from mechan-
ical impact and the dust which is naturally released is trapped
behind the airtight surfaces. Nevertheless, its installation
involves some mechanical impact on the asbestos insulation and it
is necessary to clean the work area at the completion of the
installation.
The critics of this method point out that it does not defi-
nitely solve the problem, in that the asbestos insulation must be
dealt with when the building is demolished.
Reentrainment
Without disturbing the insulation, reentrainment of the
fibers can be minimized by repeated damp moppings and good venti-
lation of the areas involved. While this method can be effective
in offices with slightly elevated asbestos levels, its use is
limited for other types of buildings (such as parking garages or
work shops).
Moreover, this method is not satisfactory since, in order to
be effective, it implies complete settling without reentrainment
of the dust, followed by its complete removal. It is known,
however, that both sedimentation and reentrainment often occur
simultaneously during building use.
4.2. Significance of Measurement Results
The relation between dose and effect (such as asbestos is
and pulmonary cancer) has been studied primarily in the work
place—/. The dose is estimated as the product of the average
concentration of optical fibers per cm3 of air times the number
25
-------
of years of exposure. These data are then compared with
epidemiological observations.
Analogous studies of low level exposures measured by TEM
are not currently available. This is essentially due to the
relatively recent use of this analytical method.
Approximate conversions between the two types of measure-
ments (light microscope and TEM) have been advanced by some
authors—'—/. They lead to the following equivalency: two
optical fibers of chrysotile per cm3 are approximately equal to
100,000 ng/m3 based on TEM analysis.
The highest asbestos levels recorded in buildings would
therefore be approximately 100 times lower than the standard
occupational exposure for asbestos, i.e. two optical fibers/cm .
The Federal Republic of Germany standard for chrysotile fine dust
is 0.15 mg/m3 or 150,000 ng/m3, which compares favorably with the
above equivalency between 2 optical fibers per cm and 100,000
ng/m3.
It should be remembered that pathological effects attributed
to the inhalation of asbestos have been described in several
instances of nonoccupational exposure to asbestos. Measurements
using TEM in conditions of environmental pollution are presented
in Table IX. It is seen that several measurements of asbestos in
sprayed buildings are in the range of the values measured in the
vicinity of asbestos plants where cases of mesothelioma have been
reported^/.
4.3. Measurements of Airborne Asbestos Pollution in the
Environment with the Transmission Electron Microscope
and Regulatory Considerations
The standard two optical fibers/cm3 has been established in
accepting a 1% risk of inducing asbestosis in a group of workers
26
-------
exposed to this level for 50 years. Could such an approach be
extended and adapted to asbestos related cancers and to the
general population? BRUCKMAN—' has proposed an environmental
standard of 30 ng/m3 measured with TEM so that the number of
mesotheliomas would not exceed 10% of the transportation deaths
(automobile, train, and airplane).
The choice of an environmental standard for asbestos should
be based on a comparison between environmental monitoring and
epidemio'logical data. Currently, however, the necessary
monitoring support for the development of such surveys and air
quality controls seems to be insufficient. Only the measurements
by TEM have provided to date useful results for the monitoring of
low level asbestos pollution in the environment. However, the
implementation of this method is time consuming and tedious; it
requires a large capital investment in materials and in the
training of qualified technicians.
Current studies are underway aimed at developing more
automated methods of instrumental analysis which would also
perform well at lower concentrations.
5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
This study focused on asbestos exposure in buildings
insulated by sprayed asbestos materials. Air samples have been
taken inside and outside in the vicinity of asbestos insulated
buildings, inside of control buildings which had not been
insulated with asbestos, and, finally, of the ambient air of
Paris. The analytical results were obtained by TEM analysis of
air sample filters which were taken for at least five days at an
air sampling rate of 5 liters per minute. The sampling was done
continuously or discontinuously, depending on the type of
exposure (example: continuous for ambient outdoor pollution
measurements; discontinuous for measurements inside buildings).
27
-------
After a detailed study of the background of ambient asbestos
levels in the metropolitan areas of Paris, it was possible to
characterize as abnormally high any concentration higher than 7
ng/m .
Twelve out of the 21 insulated buildings which were surveyed
have shown at least one measurement higher than 7 ng/m3. The
highest recorded value was 750 ng/m3. Although the asbestos
levels in the same building may vary from one room to another, it
was observed that once a single value greater than 7 ng/m was
found, the geometric and arithmetic means for all the measure-
ments of that building were significantly higher than the mean
values recorded for the background ambient levels.
The study correlating the structural characteristics - of the
building and the airborne asbestos levels was inadequately docu-
mented and therefore precluded the drawing of significant conclu-
sions. Based on the structural information available, it seemed
difficult to predict the asbestos pollution levels of a given
building without measuring them.
The mechanisms of generating asbestos indoor pollution in
sprayed buildings appeared to be as follows: release and set-
tling of large particles of the insulation, followed by their
fragmentation and the reentrainment of the finer particles due to
activity in the building. The activities in a building consti-
tute a sufficient condition for elevated asbestos levels.
The technique of covering the insulation by an airtight
surface has been shown to be quite effective. This technique
does not definitively solve the asbestos problem when it comes to
the demolition or remodeling of a building. If the asbestos
insulation is removed, extreme precautions must be taken to limit
worker exposure and environmental contamination.
28
-------
It is technically possible to determine whether a building
is polluted or .not after an air monitoring program employing TEM.
The dose-effect relationships relating to asbestos exposure
are currently too uncertain to accurately determine the health
effects associated with this type of low levels asbestos expo-
sure. We can merely note that the asbestos levels in certain
buildings are as high as those measured in the neighborhood of
asbestos plants where cases of mesotheliomas have been reported.
29
-------
REFERENCES
1 - ZIELHUIS, R.L. (1976). Public health risks of exposure to asbestos.
Report of a Working Group of Experts prepared for the Commission
of the European Communities, Directorate-General for Social Affairs,
Health and Safety Directorate. Published by Pergamon Press.
2 - NICHOLSON, W.J., ROHL, A.N. and WEISMAN, I. (1975). Asbestos
contamination of the air in public buildings. EPA Contract No.
68-02-1346. Final Report.
3 - REITZE, W.B., NICHOLSON, W.J., HOLADAY, D.A. and SELIKOFF, I.J.
(1972). Application of sprayed inorganic fiber containing asbestos;
occupational health hazards. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J., 33, 178-191.
4 - SELIKOFF, I.J., NICHOLSON, W.J. and LANGER, A.M. (1972). Asbestos
air Pollution. Arch. Environ. Health, 25, 1-13.
5 - SEBASTIEN, P., BIGNON, J., GAUDICHET,'A., DUFOUR, G. et BONNAUD, G.
(1976). The pollution with asbestos of the urban atmosphere. Rev.
Franc. Mal.,Resp., 4, Supp. 2, 51-62.
6 - SAWYER, R.N. (1977). Asbestos exposure in a Yale building; analysis
and resolution. Environ. Res., 13, 146-169.
7 - FEDERAL REGISTER (1973). National emission standards for hazardous
air pollutants. Asbestos, Beryllium, and Mercury. Federal Register,
Vol. 38, No. 66 - Friday, April 6, 1973.
30
-------
8 - BOURELLY (1977).
Personal communication
9 - STERLING, T.D. and KOBAYASHI, D.M. (1977). Exposure to pollutants
in enclosed "living spaces". Environ. Res., 13, 1-35.
10 - SEBASTIEN, P. and BIGNON, J. (1976). Dose/effect relationships
for asbestos measurement. Report prepared for the Commission of
the European Communities, Directorate-General for Social Affairs,
Health and Safety Directorate.
11 - SEBASTIEN, P. et BIGNON, J. (1976). Study of the pollution by
particles (asbestos microfibers) of the ambient air in Paris.
Contract with the Ministery of Quality of Life No. 206. Final
Report.
12 - SEBASTIEN, P. and BIGNON, J. (1976). Measurement in asbestos air
pollution. Report prepared for the Commission of the European
Communities, Directorate - General for Social Affairs, Health
and Safety Directorate.
13 - BERRY, G. (1973). Hygiene Standards - theory and application. In
"Biological Effects of Asbestos". I.A.R.C. Scientific Publications
n° 8, pp. 145-149.
14 - ROHL, A.N., LANGER, A.M., WOLFF, M.S. and WEISMAN, I. (1976).
Asbestos exposure during brake lining maintenance and repair.
Environ. Res., 12, 110-128.
15 - BRUCKMAN, L. and RUBINO, R.A. (1975). Asbestos : rational behind
a proposed air quality standard. J. Air Poll. Control Assoc., 25,
1207-1212.
31
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TABLE I. SAMPLING
Outdoor Indoor
Study Sites Buildings Measurements Measurements
Indoor pollution of sprayed buildings 22 132
Pollution in the vicinity of sprayed buildings 10 19
Measurement of the pollution background of Paris 11 126
Indoor pollution in the control buildings 7 16
-------
TABLE TT: DESCRIPTION OF SPRAYED BUILDINGS STUDIED AND THEIR RECORDED POLLUTION LEVELS
A card has been made for each building, containing the following data:
Denomination and address of the building.
General description of the building, especially concerning the insulation by spraying with asbestos.
Places (sites) from which the samples have been taken.
Date of sampling.
Particular observations on different parts of the building.
Pollution levels, in nanograms, separately for amphibole and Ghrysotile. The precision is assumed
in order to enable the classification.
- The samplings done within the framework of the contract with the Ministry of Health are preceeded
<*> in the first column from the left with the initials MS.
-------
BUILDING A - BASEMENT
In the basement there were parking lots, shops, labs. The ceilings were uniformly covered with a "soft" as-
bestos (type Asbestospray) ,. With one exception, there was no forced ventilation. The windows are situated
on the upper part of the rooms; in some places whole pieces of insulation were hanging loose from the ceil-
ing. After the first samplings, certain protection measures have been taken such as spraying the metal
with plaster. In certain instances, control samples have been taken after the repairs or in any other
conditions of utilization of the given rooms.
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Cone, in asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
Indoor samplings taken during the
normal use of the building:
T23 Phys. Sol. 2 9/74
T23 Phys. Sol. 1 9/74
Hallway 13-23 3/76
T34, p. custodian 10/74
Hallway 13-23 3/76
44-54, p. 11 10/74
Indoor samplings taken during holidays:
T23 Phys. Sol. 2 9/74
T23 Phys. Sol. 1 9/74
T23 Phys. Sol. 1 9/74
Indoor samplings taken after repairs
of the flocking and cleanup. Normal
use of the room:
Shop - machine tool
Shop - machine tool
Hallway
Parking and access routes
Hallway
Laboratory, X-Ray instruments,
little traffic
Shop - machine tools
Shop - machine tools
Shop - machine tools
751
518
19
2
0.6
0.4
15
1
0.7
54-64, p.
54-64, p.
IBM 1
T23 Phys.
44-54, p.
IBM 2
T23 Phys.
01
01
Sol
19
Sol
11/76 Room for preparation of minerals
4/77 Room for preparation of minerals
6/76 Shop
6/76 Shop - Machine tools
4/76 Shop
11/76 Animal quarters
6/76 Shop - machine tools
58
12
1
1
0.8
0.4
0.1
-------
BUILDING A - CENTRAL TOWER
Metallic construction with supporting beams covered with asbestos insulation. In the rooms, the beams and
the ceiling are hidden behind a double ceiling consisting of soundproof panels. There is an air condi-
tioning system without recycling. The fresh air intake is located on the 10th floor on one side of the
building. The air is introduced into the rooms under the windows and the extraction of the air is made
through the double ceiling. It is possible that the fresh air comes in contact with the asbestos covering
the sprayed beams located in the dead space between the ceilings. The air is exhausted through the side
of the building opposed to the intake. Most of the rooms are offices and the indoor air samples were
taken during the normal working hours.
co
en
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Indoor sampling:
3rd floor, p. 318
3rd floor, p. 318
llth floor, p. 114
Outdoor sampling:
llth floor, p. 114
9/74 Office
10/74 Office
10/74 Office
10/74
Cone, in asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
28
7
3
-------
BUILDING A - ROOMS ON UPPER FLOORS
The new rooms are grouped in webs arranged geometrically around suspended bars. These webs are separated
from each other by cylindrical towers which are the routes for access. Each bar has five levels. The
interior arrangement is relatively uniform:
The rooms are separated by brick walls.
No air conditioning in general (the windows can be opened).
The vertical beams are sprayed and are hidden (but accessible) by metal panels.
The horizontal sprayed beams are hidden by a perforated metal double ceiling.
The heating consists of hot air circulating through metal ducts located between the ceilings (real
and false).
The rooms consist of laboratories, lecture halls, and offices.
- The degradation of the insulation and of the double ceilings varies from room to room.
Certain laboratories have been cleaned up before the samplings.
- The sprayed material consisted of both chrysotile and amphibole asbestos fibers, heterogeneously dis-
tributed within the insulation.
CO
CTl
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Cone, in asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
Indoor sampling during regular working
hours:
34-44 Library 1 A
43-44 4th floor, p.
34-44 Library 1 A
05
44-45 5th
43-42 5th
MS 43-42
34-44 2nd
44-45 3rd
23-24 3rd
24-34 1st
MS 43-42
44-45 5th
34-44 4th
floor, p. 05
floor
5th floor, p
floor p. 03
floor p. 08
floor p. 16
floor p. 07
5th floor p.
floor p. 03
floor p. 24
01
03
9/74 Library. Pollution of the 630
tables was visible
4/76 Laboratory 46l 0.5
?/74 Library. Visible pollution on 420
the tables
12/74 Laboratory 225
7/76 Hallway. Degraded spray 106
7/76 Shop 47 0.4
1/76 Library 1 44
12/74 Laboratory 37
12/75 Laboratory. Degraded spray 0.2 31
1/76 Reproduction room 28
7/76 Laundry 12 3
12/74 Laboratory 14
9/74 Office 13
-------
44-45 2nd floor p. 20
44-45 2nd floor p. 07
MS 43-44 4th floor p. 05
T53 1st floor Rot.
44-45 1st floor
T44 5th floor JPC 2
MS 43-42.5th floor p. 04
44-45 1st floor
44-45 5th floor p. 07
MS 43-44 4th floor p. 04
T44 5th floor JPC 1
44-45 2nd floor p. 13
44-45 2nd floor p. 15
23-24 3rd floor p. 20
T44 5th floor JPC 1
T44 5th floor JPC 1
23-24 3rd floor
T44 5th floor JPC 1
co MS 43-44 4th floor
^ 44-45 2nd floor p. 15
34-44 5th floor p. 07
23-24 3rd floor p. 16
23-24 3rd floor p. 03
MS 43-44 4th floor p. 05
13-23 2nd floor p. 05
34-44 2nd floor p. 10
Indoor sampling; rooms not used:
T44 5th floor JPC 4
34-44 3rd floor p. 03
34-44 3rd floor p. 13
T44 5th floor JPC 3
Indoor sampling, after cleanup:
24-34 1st floor p. 10
23-24 3rd floor p. 16
12/74
12/74
7/76
9/74
12/74
7/76
7/76
11/74
12/74
7/76
7/76
12/74
12/74
12/75
7/76
7/76
12/75
7/76
7/76
12/74
9/74
11/76
12/75
7/76
3/76
1/76
9/76
9/74
9/74
8/76
1/76
1/76
Office
Hallway
Hallway. Degraded spray
Rotunda. Degraded spray
Hallway
Laboratory
Laboratory
Hallway
Laboratory
Laboratory
Laboratory
Laboratory
Corner room
Laboratory
Laboratory
Laboratory
Hallway. Degraded spray
Laboratory
Hallway
Corner room
Library
Laboratory
Laboratory
Photo lab
Laboratory
Typing room
Lecture room
Lecture room
Lecture room
Lecture room
5
4
0.2
Laboratory
Laboratory.
Previous measures:
0.2 A, 31 C
9
7
6
6
6
0.4
1
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
0.8
0.3
3
2
1
0.1
1
3
-------
23-24 3rd floor p. 03
23-24 3rd floor p. 09
Outdoor sampling:
MS 43-42 5th floor p. 11
MS 43-42 4th floor p. 14
MS 43-44 4th floor p. 16
MS 43-42 5th floor p. 12
1/76 Laboratory: Previous measures:
1.2 C
1/76 Laboratory
7/76 Sampling done through the
window of the given room
7/76 Sampling done through the
window of the given room
7/76 Sampling done through the
window of the given room
7/76 Sampling done through the
window of the given room
0.6
0.1
0.1
1
0.9
0.4
0.1
OJ
c»
-------
BUILDING B
Large metallic hangar, recently built; the beams have been sprayed with asbestos. The analysis of the
material showed the presence of both mineral varieties of asbestos, i.e., amphibole and chrysotile. At
the time of sampling the shop had not been put in service.
Cone, in asbestos
Date of (ng/m3)
Place sampling Particular observations A C
Indoor sampling:
1st floor 6/75 Shop 492 0.3
Hangar 6/75 Shop 65 0.3
Ground floor 6/75 Shop 30 0.5
Ground floor 6/75 Shop 23 0.2
Ground floor 7/75 Shop 5 1
Ground floor 7/75 Shop 3 '3
w Ground floor 7/75 Shop 3 2
Closet 1 7/75 Shop 1 0.6
Closet 2 7/75 Shop 1 0.2
-------
BUILDING C
Recently built building. The metallic structure has been treated by insulating with asbestos of the type
"Asbestospray." The metallic structures are hidden by an airtight double ceiling. There was no air
conditioning.
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Cone, in asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
Indoor sampling:
Building 1, 4th floor, 029
Building 1, 4th floor, 16
Building 1, 9th floor, 001
1/76
1/76
1/76
Offices
Offices
Offices
0.2
0.2
0.1
-------
BUILDING D
Recently built building. The metallic frame of this building has been sprayed with asbestos and covered
by a double celling providing acoustic insulation. The building is provided with an air conditioning sys-
tem without recycling. The air is being exhausted through the double ceiling where it comes in contact
with the asbestos covering.
The stairs have been sprayed underneath with asbestos covered with plaster. In this case, there is no
protection and the insulation is exposed.
Cone, of Asbestos
Date of (ng/m3)
Place sampling Particular observations A C
Indoor sampling:
Stairs 1/76 Staircase; nonprotected spray 5
Stairs 1/76 Staircase; nonprotected spray 5
112 1/76 Library 2
211 1/76 Office 0.6
-------
-p.
no
BUILDING E
The ceiling of the dining hall is covered by a "soft" insulation with asbestos. The users complained about
a white powder covering the tables.
Cone, of asbestos
Date of (ng/m3)
Place sampling Particular observations A C
Indoor sampling:
GIF 1 4/76 Dining hall 29
-------
BUILDING F
Many of the large halls have been sprayed with asbestos. The lining is uniform and unprotected.
material has been blown as a paste! "WANNER",
The users of the rooms mentioned "a very fine white powder which settled everywhere."
The
Place
Indoor sampling:
Dance room
Organ room
Office
Date of
sampling
1/76
1/76
1/76
Particular observations
Uniform lining, acoustic
Uniform lining, acoustic
Untreated. Close to Insulated
Cone, of asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
11 29
9 16
6
Franck room
hallway
1/76 Uniform lining, acoustic
-F*
CO
-------
BUILDING G
16-story high tower built in 1972 with about 1,100 people working there. The metallic frame and the tower
surfaces of the armored concrete floors have been sprayed with asbestos. The material has been blown as a
paste.
The building has an air conditioning system which recycles and filters the air. The ceilings are provided
with acoustic insulation of mineral wool.
Cone, of asbestos
Date of (ng/m3)
Place sampling Particular observations A C
Indoor sampling:
12th floor 2/76 Offices 3
12th floor 2/76 Offices 2
6th floor 2/76 Offices 0=1
-------
BUILDING H
tn
Several laboratories and machine shops have been sprayed with asbestos. This insulation is a "soft insulation
uniform and unprotected, blown on the walls and ceilings. The building is not provided with an air
conditioning system. The users of the building were concerned about the poor quality and the imperfec-
tions of the insulation. In one case, the insulation has been torn apart.
Place
Indoor sampling:
MS PHN 100 M3
MS PHN 100 M2
MS PHN 100 M4
AL 206
AL Igloo
APHS 095
APHS 090
APHS 093
MS PHN 100 Ml
LPH Hall
APHS Hallway
LPH Transformer
Gym.
Indoor sampling after removal of the
lining and cleanup of the rooms:
APHS 090
APHS Hallway
APHS 090
Date of
sampling
5/76
5/76
5/76
4/76
4/76
12/75
12/75
12/75
5/76
2/76
12/75
2/76
12/76
5/76
11/76
11/76
Particular observations
Large shop, machine tools
Large shop, machine tools
Large shop, machine tools
Shop for the linear accelerator
Cupola
Shop
Shop
Shop
Large shop, machine tools
Hall
Hallway
Technical room. Quite weak
Gym room
Previous measurements:
5 C 12/75
Previous measurements:
0.2 C 12/75
Previous measurements:
130 A, 0.3 C 5/76
Cone, of asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
112 22
17 5
14
7 5
11
6
5
2
0,9
0.4
0.2
0.1
0.1
130 0.3
8
0.2 0.1
Outdoor sampling:
MS
MS
PHN
PHN
100 M5
100 M6
5
0.2
-------
BUILDING I
Four-floor building, erected in 1975 with about 500 working people on the premises. The lower part of the
platforms has been sprayed with asbestos using a procedure of spraying of a paste (Dermacoustic).
The building is climatized. The Insulation is not protected by a double ceiling and the air is recycled about
50%. The induced air is filtered through high efficiency filters.
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Cone, of asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
-P.
en
Indoor sampling:
Office
Office
Office 2
Office 3
SA1
DPI
3
1
4
3
DU
232
Outdoor sampling:
CPR
2/76
2/76
2/76
2/76
2/77
2/77
2/77
2/77
Offices
Offices
Offices
Offices
Offices
Offices
Offices
0.5
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
-------
BUILDING J
42-level tower in which about 1,500 people work. The lower faces of the armored concrete platforms are
covered with a lining of asbestos which was sprayed dry (copris spray). The building has an air condi-
tioning system. The air ducts are insulated externally with asbestos (Isolasbestos). The evacuation of
air is achieved through the ceiling where there is a possibility of contact with the asbestos. The
recycling varies from 0 to 60%, depending upon the temperature outside the building. The induced air is
filtered.
Cone, of asbestos
Date of (ng/m3)
Place sampling Particular observations _A C
Indoor sampling:
26th floor, 26-15 6/76 Office 2 5
22nd floor 6/76 Hallway 2
30th floor, 30-07 6/76 Office 0.6
-------
BUILDING K
Under the glass casing of the central railroad station of Paris there are several buildings which consti->
tute a complex consisting of the following:
the usual installations of a large railroad station,
the subway station,
the tracks leading to the suburbs,
different offices,
a three-level parking area, and
several access ramps for the cars, travelers and personnel.
These installations are not partitioned because they are all under the same glass enclosure of the train
station which has been considered in this study as a large building.
The three-level parking area has been made out of a metallic frame. All the beams and supporting pillars
as well as the lower parts of the levels have been covered with a thick lining of sprayed blown asbestos in 1974,
This parking area occupies about 1/3 of the total surface covered by the glass roof of the train station
and is placed approximately in the center of this area.
OD
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Cone, of asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
Indoor sampling:
MS Level 1
MS Level 3
MS Level 2
Outdoor sampling:
MS Ext. 1
MS Ext. 2
6/76 Air from the station
6/76 Air from the station
6/76 Air from the station
6/76 Vicinity of the river Seine
6/76 Vicinity of the river Seine
0.2
6
24
5
10
0.6
0.1
-------
BUILDING L
An eight-story concrete building. The samples have been taken from the 4th floor consisting of offices
and a sorting room. The ceilings and the supporting horizontal beams are covered by a sprayed material
containing chrysotile asbestos. This insulation is covered with a layer of paint. The building is provided
with a system of air circulation where the fresh air is sucked in and the used air is blown out of the
building. The visible parts of the insulation appeared to be very damaged. As a matter of fact, this
insulation has been subjected to a variety of shocks such as: ventilation, vibration, and degradation.
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Cone, of asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
Indoor sampling:
MS 4th floor
MS 4th floor Et.
MS 2nd floor Et.
MS 4th floor Et.
Outdoor sampling:
MS Ext. 1
9/76
9/76
9/76
9/76
9/76
Sorting room
Sorting room
Sorting room
Air intake at 4th floor
34
18
17
9
0.4
-------
BUILDING M
35-floor tower consisting of 400 apartments (approximately 600 persons). The insulation is nonexistent in
the apartments but does exist in the parking area from the first underground level next to the tower.
There is a possibility of air communication between the underground levels and the upper floors of the
building.
The insulation of the parking area was applied in 19750 This is a soft insulation (Asbestospray). The
apartments are not provided with air conditioning.
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Cone, of asbestos
(ng/'m3)
A C
tn
o
Indoor sampling:
MS Al
MS A2
MS A4
MS A3
Outdoor sampling:
MS
MS
10/76
10/76
10/76
10/76
10/76
2
2
0.8
0.3
0.8
0.6
-------
BUILDING N
Tower of 30 floors with 240 apartments. The concrete ceilings and some walls from the basement have been
covered in 1972 with a material blown dry (Asbestospray). The apartments have not been sprayed but there
is a direct communication between the first underground level and all the upper floors of the tower.
There is no air conditioning in either the apartments or the underground levels.
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Cone, of asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
Indoor sampling:
MS Bl
MS B3
MS B4
Outdoor sampling:
MS
MS
10/76
10/76
10/76
10/76
10/76
42
8
13
9
6
-------
BUILDING 0
Traditional building with the walls and ceilings from certain rooms sprayed with asbestos. This is a
uniform acoustic lining, unprotected, and, judging by its appearance, degraded.
Place
Indoor sampling:
S 00 5
S 00 5
S 00 54
S 00 54
Date of
sampling
5/76
5/76
5/76
5/76
Particular observations
Laboratory
Laboratory
Technical room - weak activity
Technical room - weak activity
Cone, of asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
62
2 11
1
0.4
ro
-------
BUILDING P
A 10-story building lodging 100 rooms for students. In 1968, the metallic structures have been covered
with an insulation of asbestos blown as a paste (Asbestospray THX), The insulation is proteqted by a false
ceiling with solid (full) acoustic panels. The metallic"pillars which have been sprayed were protected
by casings made out of metallic sheets.
No air conditioning.
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Cone, of asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
01
co
Indoor sampling:
MS C3
MS C2
MS Cl
MS C4
Outdoor sampling:
MS
MS
10/76
10/76
10/76
10/76
10/76
10/76
0.2
3
0.8
0.2
7
0.5
0.8
0.6
0.8
0.3
-------
BUILDING Q
Construction of 3 floors. In 1967, the metallic structure was covered with an asbestos insulation blown as
a paste (Asbestospray type THX) . The insulation was hidden by a double ceiling made of acoustic panels,
In addition, a thermal protection made out of mineral wool-on-paper (as a vapor barrier) has been laid
inside the false ceiling onto the panels. The metallic pillars were nonaccessible except for the attic
where the insulation could be seen.
Place
Date of
sampling
Particular observations
Cone, of asbestos
(ng/m3)
A C
Indoor sampling:
MS AM 22
MS AM 20
MS AM 19
MS AM 21
Outdoor sampling:
MS AM 23 Ext.
MS AM 24 Ext.
11/76
11/76
11/76
11/76
11/76
11/76
1
1
0.7
0.~3
0.9
0.8
-------
Building "R1
en
This a recent construction. The ceilings are covered with an
asbestos insulation (procedure Progypsol)0
/
The insulation was covered by a double ceiling of acoustic panels.
No air conditioning*
Place
Date
Observations
Concentrations of
O
asbestos(ng/m)
Indoor Samplings
CMP 2 10-76
CMP 3 10-76
CMP 1 10-76
Office
Office
Office
12
11
9
-------
Building "S"
In 1965, an asbestos insulation has been sprayed over the ceilings
in certain rooms in order to improve the acoustics.
The users have complained about the defective insulation (peeling and
falling).
Place
Time
Observation
Concentrations of
o
asbestos(ng/m )
Indoor Samples
BA 1
BA 2
BA 3
1-77
1-77
1-77
Dining-hall
Playroom
Classroom
0. 1
0.1
0.1
-------
Building "T"
This building was a part of a former American military base. For acous-
tical purposes, the concrete celings in all rooms have been sprayed with asbestos.
This is a "hard" spray which however exhibited numerous spot degra-
dations. In many of the rooms of this building, the insulation has been torn away
dry. This operation has been achieved by nonexpertenced workers and no protec-
tion measures have been taken, in view of the importance of the "macroscopic
pollution" observed by the users, measurements have been made after the completion
of the removal and the subsequent clean-up.
en
Place
Indoor samplings af
of work, during the
CHAT 1
S. 11
S. 34
S. 32
Indoor samplings af
under normal condit
utilization of the
S. Perm
S. 16
CHAT 1
S. 4
Time
ter completion
school holidays
1-76
1-76
1-76
1-76
ter clean-up ,
ions of
building
3-76
3-76
3-76
3-76
Observations
Hallway
Clas sroom
Classroom
Classroom
Waiting room
Classroom
Hallway
Classroom
Concentrations of
•3
asbestos (ng/m )
A _C
40 28
14 0.6
0.6
0,4
10 90
27
24
15
-------
Tahle I I 1
LEVELS (ng/m3)a QF AMBIENT AIRBORNE ASBESTOS POLLUTION IN PARIS
I1 lace of Sampling
tn
CO
39 I. is, rue de Dantzig 75015 R.d.C
39 bis, rue do Dantzig 75015 Terrasse
KonJ-Po in t des Cliamps Elysees 75008
I'lace Victor Bascli 75015
.lard in clu Luxembourg 75006
37, lid. Saint-Marcel 75013
I'lace Mazas 75012
A u t u r o u t e d u S u d . P . d ' 0 r 1 e a n s
Renovation X J f 1 e
Quart ie r de la Defense
(juartter des llalles
Sampling Periods (Numbers of the weeks of the year)
June 1974 June 1975
b
74
2
0.4
O.J
0.2
2 ,
0.2
0.4
0.1
75
0.4
0.3
0.9
Q-7
0.4
0.4!
0.7,
0.3
26
2
0.4_
0.4
O.b
0.3
0.1
6
0.2.
27
2
0.5.
1
0.2
0.3
1
2
0.1
28
1
0.5,
0.5,
0.7
1
0..3,
0.3
1
0.2'
29
1
2
0.3
1
0.9
0.3
0.1
0.9
0.1
30
0.3
0.4
0.3
1
0.1
0.5
2
0.2
3
31
0.4
0.2
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.2
5
0.1
2
32
33
34
35
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.2
0.6
3
.3
3
36
37
38
39
0.1
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.2
0.6
0.2
0.4
1
WO
41
42
43
0.7
0.2
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.3
007
44
45
46
47
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.1
0.4
0.4
2
48
49
50
51
0.3
0.7
0.4
0.3
0.5
0.2
0.4
0.1
1
1
2
3
4
0.2
0.1
0.2
5 '10
6 11
7
R
.5
.2
.2
.2
.7
12
13
.9
14
15
16
17
1
18
19
20
21
2
C.6
1
22
23
24
25
0.9
0.3
a^Detection level =0.1 ng/m3
b Values for four 1-week long samples viiose filters were combined for a single analysis.
-------
TABLE IV: THE LEVELS OF INDOOR AIRBORNE ASBESTOS POLLUTION IN CONTROL BUILDINGS
en
10
Building
Building .1.
Building .2.
Building .3.
Building .4.
Building .5.
Building .6.
Time Observations Concentrations of
asbestos (ng/m^ )
A £
2-76
2-76 Insulation without asbestos
2-76
2-76
9-74 Non-sprayed amphitheatre
3-76 Operating room (not sprayed)
4-76 Insulation without asbestos
8-75 Insulation without asbestos
8-76
8-76
8-76
8-76
4-75
4-75 Non— sprayed offices
4-75
0.3
0,8
3
3
2
0,1
2
0,1
0,2
12
6
0,5
0.1
0,1
0.3
Building .7.
1-75
Non-sprayed offices
0,1
-------
TABLE V
LEVELS OF INDOOR AIRBORNE ASBESTOS POLLUTION IN SPRAYED BUILDINGS
- Tlie levels are expressed in ng/mj.
- In eacli column, the number from the left side represent sampling made in the vicinity of the building.
* Buildings for which the mean values are not significantly higher than the pollution background.
BUILDINGS
BUILDING "A" - Rooms in the base-
ment
o BUILDING "A" - Central tower
BUILDING "A" - Rooms on the upper
floor
BUILDING "B"
BUILDING "C" *
BUILDING "D" *
BUILDING "E"
BUILDING "F"
NUMBER OF
MEASUREMENTS
6
3
1
39
4
9
3
4
1
4
RANGE OF LEVELS
0,4 - 751
3-28
2
O,3 - 63O
0,1-2
1 - 492
O,l - O,2
0,6 - 5
29
5-40
ARITHMETICAL
MEAN VALUE
21
12
57
70
0,1
3
2.9
19
GEOMETRICAL
MEAN VALUE
12
8
a
14
0,1
2
2.9
13
-------
TABLE V
(Continuation //I)
BUILDINGS
BUILDING "C" *
BUILDING "H"
BUILDING "1"
(^BUILDING "J"
i— »
BUILDING MK"
BUILDING "L"
BUILDING "M"
BUILDING "N"
BUILDING "O"
BUILDING "P"
NUMBER OF
MEASUREMENTS
3
13
2
7
1
3
3
2
4
1
4
2
3
2
4
4
2
RANGE OF THE LEVELS
0,1-3
O,l - 134
0,2-5
2 O.I - 2
0.6-7
10 - 24
0,1 - 0,6
12 - 34
0.4
0,3-2
0,6 - 0.0
8 - 42
6 - 9
0,4 - 62
0,8-7
0,3 - 0.8
ARITHMETICAL
MEAN VALUE
2
16
0.4
3
15
20
1
21
20
3
GEOMETRICAL
MEAN VALUE
o, a
3
0.2
2
14
19
1
16
5
2
-------
TABLE V
(Continuation #2)
BUILDINGS
BUILDING "Q" *
BUILDING "R"
BUILDING "S"
NUMBER OF MEASUREMENTS
4
2
3
3
RANGE OF THE LEVELS
0,3 - 1
0,8 - 0,9
2 - 12
0,1 - 0,1
ARITHMETICAL
MEAN VALUE
O,8
9
0,1
GEOMETRICAL
MEAN VALUE
0,7
7
0,1
-------
TABLE VI: DESCRIPTIVE DATA ON POLLUTED AND NON-POLLUTED BUILDINGS
TECHNICAL DATA NON-POLLUTED POLLUTED
BUILDINGS BUILDINGS
Method of Spraying
Dry spray 6 9
Paste 'spray 3 3
Behavior of the Insulation
Macroscopic effects of degradation or
01 visible sedimentation of "white powders"
CO
No visible sedimentation
Place of the Insulation
Exposed insulation 1 g
Protected insulation 3 2
Insulation within the ventilation circuit 4 -^
Insulation within the vicinity -^ ^
Utilization of the Room
Labs and shops — 6
Offices 5 2
Schools 2 2
Apartments 2 1
Parking - 1
-------
TABLE VII: INDOOR POLLUTION AFTER PROTECTION OR-REMOVAL OF SPRAYED MATERIAL
PLACE
BUILDING "T"
BUILDING "H"
BUILDING "A"
NATURE OF WORK
Dry removal
Wet cleaning after work
Protection by covering of the exposed metal
with a thick. layer of plaster followed by
clean-up
Protection with a film of polyvinyl
Clean-up of the rooms
LEVELS OF POLLUTION
ng/m
Before the work
A C
1
4O 28
5
518
751
3
31
1
After the work
A O
40 29
1O 9O
130 O.i
1
1
5 ^
3
0,1
A i Amphiboles ; C i Chrysotile ; - Non-detectable.
-------
TABLE VIII : MODES OF EMISSION AND THE LEVELS OF INDOOR POLLUTION
PLACE AND MODE OF EMISSION
RANGE OF -3
VARIATION (ng/mj)
BUILDING "A"
Underground
Ml
Ml + K3
0,7 - 15
0,4 - 751
BUILDING "A"
Room on the upper floors Ml + M3
0,1 - 3
0,3 - 630
BUILDING "0"
Ml
Ml + M3
0,4 - 1
13 - 62
BUILDING "H"
Ml + M3
Ml + M2 + M3
0,2
0,9
5
130
BUILDING "T1'
Ml
M2 + 10 days setting
M3 After clean-up
0,2
0,4
15
4
68
10O
65
-------
TABLE IX: LEVELS OF AIR POLLUTION WITH ASBESTOS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
TYPE OF SAMPLING AND THE LABORATORIES WHERE THE STUDIES HAVE BEEN MADE
VICINITY OF OPERATIONS EMPLOYING SPRAYING OF ASBESTOS
. USA, Environmental Sciences Laboratory
VICINITY OF AN ASBESTOS PLANT
. U.K., Asbestos Research Council
. USA, Environmental Sciences Laboratory
°* . FRANCE, Laboratory of Study of Inhaled Particles
PRIVATE HOMES OF WORKERS FROM THE ASBESTOS INDUSTRY
. USA, Environmental Sciences Laboratory
INTERIOR OF ROOM FIREPROOFED WITH BLOWN ASBESTOS
. USA, Environmental Sciences Laboratory
. FRANCE, Laboratory for the Study of Inhaled Particles
Concentrations
ng/m
1O - 1OOO
1 - 10O
1O - 5OOO
1O - 3OOO
1OO - 5OOO
1 - BOO
0,1 - 750
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
560/13-80-026
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE OF ORIGINAL FRENCH GOVERNMENT REPORT:
Measurement of Asbestos Air Pollution Inside Buildings
Sprayed with Asbestos Paris, France
5. REPORT DATE
August 1980
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
[7. AUTHOR(S) OF ORIGINAL REPORT
p. Sebastien, M.A. Billion-Galland, G. Dufour,
and J. Bignon
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Translation of Original Document Performed by:
Midwest Research institute
425 VtxLker Boulevard
Kansas City, Mo. 64110
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
68-01-5915
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Translation Sponsored by:
Survey and Analysis Division
Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances
U.S. EPA Washington, D.C. 20460
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
This report is a translation of a document prepared in
1977 for the French Ministry of Health and the French Ministry
for the Quality of Life-Environment on the measurement and
assessment of airborne asbestos levels in buildings throughout
Paris. The methods of air sampling and transmission electron
microscopic analysis, as well as a discussion of the results,
are presented. Also included are extensive tables and figures
summarizing the data collected. The study was completed in
1977 by the Laboratoire d'Etude des Particules Inhalees
(Prefecture de Paris) and the Institut de Recherches
Universitaires Sur 1'Environnement (Universite Paris-Val de
Marne). Mr. Patrick Sebestien (Prefecture de Paris) provided
this revised update of the study in July 1980.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
Asbestos
Anphibole asbestos
Chrysotile
Sprayed asbestos insulation
Indoor asbestos pollution
Asbestos exposure assessment
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COS AT I F;ield/Group
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release to public
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report)
Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
79
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (Rev. 4-77) PREVIOUS EDITION is OBSOLETE
67
*U S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFPICEl 1980 311-13V79
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