Asbestos Air Monitoring

Note that the collection of air samples for supplementary evaluation should not use aggressive air sampling methods.

Asbestos air monitoring. Asbestos in air osha method id 160 july 1988 revised july 1997. Air monitoring means airborne asbestos fibre sampling that assesses exposures and the effectiveness of control measures. For excursion limit 30 min sampling time evaluations a minimum air volume of 48 l is recommended. Air samples were taken at four separate monitoring locations surrounding a vacant lot where the piles were located on february 8 2000 and february 9 2000.

Air samples are taken using asbestos air sampling pumps accredited to iso 13137 2013. Air sampling must be performed during work area preparation if asbestos materials will be disturbed during the preparation. Asbestos monitoring during pile removal project on woedee drive the arb conducted additional ambient monitoring in the woedee drive area during the removal of asbestos containing dirt piles. Aggressive sampling methods in which air is deliberately disturbed or agitated by use of a leaf blower or fans should only be used at the completion of an asbestos removal project inside the abatement.

The most significant problem when sampling for asbestos is overloading the filter with non asbestos dust. Air monitoring includes exposure control and clearance monitoring. This is generally undertaken where asbestos containing products are in a poor condition potentially liberating asbestos fibres into the air or where asbestos containing materials are being removed. All air monitoring must be undertaken in accordance with safe work australia s guidance note on the membrane filter method for estimating airborne asbestos.

When it comes to matters involving asbestos in the home many people look for ways in which they can test for the material themselves in order to try to save both time and money. A suggested minimum air volume when sampling to determine twa compliance is 25 l. Georgia epd also works with u s. There are two methods of air monitoring that can be conducted static sampling and personal sampling.

Georgia s asbestos program administers the georgia asbestos removal and encapsulation rule by regulating activities that disturb asbestos. Air monitoring is conducted to measure the level of airborne fibres. Epa region 4 to administer the federal national emissions standard for hazardous air pollutants neshap for asbestos and the asbestos hazard emergency response act ahera. Asbestos air monitoring is a highly technical process requiring specialised equipment and properly trained staff both on site and back in the laboratory.