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Abstract
The effectiveness of an operations and maintenance (O&M) work practice for asbestos is determined by measuring the airborne concentration of asbestos fibers released from the in-place asbestos-containing material or resuspended from the asbestos-containing dust and debris disturbed during the activity. Phase contrast microscopy (PCM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are the primary tools used to count the asbestos fibers for these purposes. Issues concerning each of the methods, including how they are used and how the results are interpreted, are important to consider in attempting to develop an effective set of O&M work practices. These issues include the use of TEM in addition to PCM, the comparison of data derived by the two methods, the use of indirect preparation techniques, and the analysis of surface dust samples in conjunction with O&M practices.