Asbestos-containing Floor Tile and Mastic Abatement: Is there Enough Exposure                 to Cause Asbestos-related Disease?

Lange, John H.

doi:10.1177/1420326x05050675

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The average airborne asbestos concentrations reported in this meta-analysis for both a worker performing floor tile tasks, as well as a bystander working in the vicinity of such activity, were below both the current and all previous US occupational asbestos standards. These results are consistent with those reported by Lange [57] over a decade ago, but those did not break down exposures by activity and task.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

A meta-analysis of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations from work with or around asbestos-containing floor tile

Pérez¹,

Nelson

Cheng³

et al. 2018

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health

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In this meta-analysis, exposures to airborne asbestos during work with or around floor tiles were characterized according to several variables: study, sample type, activity, and task. Personal breathing zone, bystander, and area sample exposure concentrations were differentiated and compared against current occupational exposure limits to asbestos. In total, 22 studies, including 804 personal, 57 bystander, and 295 area samples, were included in the analysis. The arithmetic mean airborne fiber concentrations were 0.05, 0.02, and 0.01 f/cm 3 for personal, bystander, and area samples, respectively. Arithmetic mean time-weighted-average fiber concentrations over an 8-h working day were 0.02 and 0.01 f/cm 3 for personal and bystander samples, respectively. Phase contrast microscopy (PCM) personal airborne fiber concentrations were highest for maintenance activities, followed by removal and installation. Tasks that involved buffing or burnishing, scoring or snapping, and scraping or lifting had the highest personal PCM concentrations, while stripping floor tile and removing it with chemical solvent had the lowest concentrations. Exposures associated with handling asbestos floor tiles, under working conditions normally encountered, do not generally produce airborne concentrations at levels that exceed the current OSHA PEL nor do they appear to approach the threshold cumulative asbestos dose concentrations that have been previously associated with an increased risk of asbestos-related disease.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

A meta-analysis of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations from work with or around asbestos-containing floor tile

Pérez¹,

Nelson

Cheng³

et al. 2018

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health

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“…According to a study conducted by Lange [ 19 ], it was found that during the demolition of floors and mastics containing chrysotile, there is a low exposure to airborne asbestos.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vinyl-Asbestos Floor Risk Exposure in Three Different Simulations

Zichella

Baudana

Zanetti

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Vinyl floors are widely used in public areas for their low cost and easy cleaning. From 1960 to 1980, asbestos was often added to improve vinyl floor performances. The Italian Ministerial Decree (M.D.) 06/09/94 indicates asbestos vinyl tiles as non-friable materials and, therefore, few dangerous to human health. This work aims to check through three different experimental tests if asbestos floor tiles, after decades of use, maintain their characteristics of compactness and non-friability. The effect of a small stone fragment stuck in the sole of rubber shoes was reproduced by striking the vinyl floor with a crampon. A vinyl tile was broken into smaller pieces with the aid of pliers to simulate what normally happens when workers replace the floors or sample it to verify the presence of asbestos. The third test reproduced the abrasion of the tile surface due to the dragging of furniture or heavy materials or sand grains that remain attached to the soles of shoes. The tests were carried out in safe conditions, working under an extractor hood with a glove box. Airborne sampling in the hood obtained the concentration of asbestos fibers produced in each test. The simulation tests performed confirms the possible release of fibers if the vinyl tiles are cut, abraded or perforated, as indicated by the Italian M.D.

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“…Statistical studies indicate a direct correlation between the asbestos consumption and the number of asbestos-related diseases in a country, and they project substantial increases in asbestos-related diseases in many countries [16][17][18][19][20]. Environmental and occupational health studies indicate that airborne fibre concentrations must be at certain levels in work environments [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. As a result of scientific evidence, mining, processing and use of asbestos minerals are regulated in many nations around the world.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Assessment of Asbestos-Containing and Alternative Materials in Turkish Industrial Facilities

Karadagli

2011

Indoor and Built Environment

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The serpentine and amphibole minerals, collectively known as asbestos, have been used in a large number of products. In industrialised nations, these products are strictly regulated because of health concerns, and their consumption has declined significantly in recent decades. In contrast, some developing nations are increasing their use of asbestos products, while others are decreasing it gradually. The developing nations with inadequate control mechanisms will face occupational and environmental consequences of their asbestos use. As a developing nation, Turkey recently regulated asbestos products and airborne fibre concentrations; however, their current status is unknown at this point. Therefore, asbestos and alternative products, and the potential for worker exposure to asbestos fibres are investigated in representative Turkish industrial facilities. The experimental results show that asbestos products containing chrysotile and alternatives containing fibre glass or wollastonite are present in Turkish factories. Some of the asbestos products are manufactured and used commonly, while others are no longer manufactured, though they are in-place. The potential for worker exposure to fibres is assessed in light of the experimental results and similar studies, and the risk of exposure was minimal in these facilities, as asbestos products were non-friable and isolated from the work environment.

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Asbestos-containing Floor Tile and Mastic Abatement: Is there Enough Exposure to Cause Asbestos-related Disease?

Cited by 6 publications

References 40 publications

A meta-analysis of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations from work with or around asbestos-containing floor tile

A meta-analysis of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations from work with or around asbestos-containing floor tile

Vinyl-Asbestos Floor Risk Exposure in Three Different Simulations

Comparative Assessment of Asbestos-Containing and Alternative Materials in Turkish Industrial Facilities

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