Quantifying Synthetic Vitreous Fiber Surface Contamination in Office Buildings

Vallarino, Jose; Spengler, John D.; Buck, Robert J.; Dilwali, Kumkum M.

doi:10.1080/15428110308984793

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The most likely explanation is that fibers from 0.5 to 1 µm in width, present in all filter cassette samples analyzed by SEM (Figure 3 and Figure 4), may remain undetected by PM from the gel tapes. Similar results have previously been presented by Vallarino et al [25], who were unable to detect fibers smaller than 0.85 µm in diameter from gel tapes by PM. There was a statistically significant correlation between the methods ( p < 0.05; R 2 = 0.70), with the filter cassette method (y) yielding results, on average, 63% higher than the gel tape method (x) in a concentration interval from 0.05 to 20 fibers/cm 2 (y = 1.96 + 0.83 fibers/cm 2 ; see Figure 2).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

Filter Cassette Method for Analyzing Man-Made Vitreous Fibers Settled on Surfaces

Tuomi

Kilpikari

Hartonen

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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A new method was developed to analyze the surface count of fibers in a variety of environments. The method entails sampling surfaces with the help of suction to a filter cassette holder containing a cellulose filter. The filters were collapsed using microwave digestion in dilute acid, and the fibers filtered to polycarbonate filters, gilded, and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The method was compared to traditional gel tape sampling as described in International Standards Organization (ISO) standard 16000-27, following analysis with phase contrast microscopy. The methods were compared in industrial environments and in office-type environments, with the concentration range studied spanning from 0.1 to 100,000 fibers/cm2. The methods yielded similar results (p < 0.05) in concentrations from 100 to 10,000 cfu/cm2, while the filter cassette method gave systematically higher results in high concentrations (>10,000 cfu/cm2) as well as in all office-type environments studied, where the fiber count ranged from 0.1 to 20 fibers/cm2. Consequently, we recommend using the new method in working environments where the surface count is more than 100 fibers/cm2, as well as in office-type environments where the fiber count is below 10 fibers/cm2. It should be noted, however, that a similar limit of quantitation as with the gel tape method (0.1 fibers/cm2) requires sampling a minimum area of 100 × 100 cm2 with the fiber cassette method. Using the filter cassette method will require new guide values to be formed for office-type environments, since the results are higher than with the gel tape method. Alternatively, if present guide values or limit values are to be used with the filter cassette method, conventions as to which fiber sizes to count should be set, since SEM analysis in any case will allow for including a larger size range than phase contrast microscopy (PM). We, however, recommend against such an approach, since fibers less than 1 µm in width may not be less harmful by inhalation than larger fibers.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

Filter Cassette Method for Analyzing Man-Made Vitreous Fibers Settled on Surfaces

Tuomi

Kilpikari

Hartonen

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…In alignment with previous literature, our review suggests that the frequency of cleaning and contact influences MMVF surface density ( Schneider, 1986 ; Vallarino et al, 2003 ). ATSDR relied upon Vallarino et al (2003) to conclude that only low levels of MMVF are expected to be present on common surfaces that are frequently contacted and cleaned ( ATSDR, 2004 ). We observed a positive correlation between air and surface concentrations of MMVF in areas that were seldom cleaned, among studies that assessed both surface and air concentrations of MMVF, suggesting that surface MMVF measurements may provide insight into overall IEQ in seldom cleaned spaces.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Exposure to MMVF in residential and commercial buildings: A literature review and quantitative synthesis

et al. 2023

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Man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF) are a class of inorganic fibrous materials that include glass and mineral wools, continuous glass filaments, and refractory ceramic fibers valued for their insulative properties in high temperature applications. Potential health effects from occupational exposure to MMVF have been investigated since the 1970s, with focus on incidence of respiratory tract cancer among MMVF-exposed production workers. The general population may experience exposure to MMVF in residential and/or commercial buildings due to deterioration, construction, or other disruption of materials containing these fibers. Numerous studies have characterized potential exposures that may occur during material disruption or installation; however, fewer have aimed to measure background MMVF concentrations in residential and commercial spaces (i.e., non-production settings) to which the general population may be exposed. In this study, we reviewed and synthesized peer-reviewed studies that evaluated respirable MMVF exposure levels in non-production, indoor environments. Among studies that analyzed airborne respirable MMVF concentrations, 110-fold and 1.5-fold differences in estimated concentrations were observed for those studies utilizing phase contrast optical microscopy (PCOM) versus transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. A positive correlation was observed between respirable air concentrations of MMVF and total surface concentrations of MMVF in seldom-cleaned areas. Ultimately, available evidence suggests that both ambient air and surface concentrations of MMVF in indoor environments are consistently lower than exposure limits developed to prevent negative health outcomes among sensitive populations.

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“…Sound and heat insulations of ventilation equipment and acoustic ceiling boards are possible sources of fibers. It has been suggested that MMVFs may be responsible for itchy skin and irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes, as well as for outbreaks of 'office eye syndrome' and 'collective dermatitis' [50][51][52][53].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor air particles in office buildings with suspected indoor air problems in the Helsinki area

Lappalainen¹,

Salonen²,

Salmi³

et al. 2013

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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Objectives: Airborne particle concentrations can be used as quality indicators of indoor environments. The previous lack of reference data has limited the use of particle measurements in office environments. The aim of this study was to describe the concentrations of airborne particles (≥ 0.5 μm and ≥ 5.0 μm) in 122 Finnish office buildings with suspected indoor air problems. Materials and Methods: The database consisted of indoor air and supply air particle samples collected in 2001-2006 from the Helsinki area. The particle concentrations (≥ 0.5 μm and ≥ 5.0 μm) were measured in the indoor air (528 samples from 122 office rooms) and in the supply air (384 samples from 105 office rooms) with an optical particle counter. Airborne particle concentrations ≥ 0.5 μm were categorized according to the efficiency of supply air filtration and health survey data. Results: The mean concentrations in the indoor air equaled 1900 particles/l and in the supply air 1300 particles/l. The efficiency of supply air filtration decreased the fine particles counts in both the indoor and supply air. The counts of large particles, ≥ 5.0 μm, were low in the indoor air. Airborne counts of ≥ 0.5 μm particles (geometric mean) were statistically higher in the offices whose occupants had work-related symptoms (eye and/or upper respiratory symptoms or upper respiratory infections) than in the offices whose occupants had no such symptoms. However, the symptoms may also be linked to other indoor air problems or particle characteristics not studied in this work. Conclusions: This study indicates typical airborne particle levels (≥ 0.5 μm and ≥ 5.0 μm) in Finnish office buildings with suspected indoor air problems. The results can be used to evaluate the quality of indoor environment, possible indoor air problems, and the need for additional investigations.

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Quantifying Synthetic Vitreous Fiber Surface Contamination in Office Buildings

Cited by 5 publications

References 15 publications

Filter Cassette Method for Analyzing Man-Made Vitreous Fibers Settled on Surfaces

Filter Cassette Method for Analyzing Man-Made Vitreous Fibers Settled on Surfaces

Exposure to MMVF in residential and commercial buildings: A literature review and quantitative synthesis

Indoor air particles in office buildings with suspected indoor air problems in the Helsinki area

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