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ABSTRACT
From November 2009 to October 2010, the French general directorate for labor organized a large field-study using analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM) to characterize occupational exposure to asbestos fibers during work on asbestos containing materials (ACM). The primary objective of this study was to establish a method and to validate the feasibility of using ATEM for the analysis of airborne asbestos of individual filters sampled in various occupational environments. For each sampling event, ATEM data were compared to those obtained by phase-contrast optical microscopy (PCOM), the WHO-recommended reference technique. A total of 265 results were obtained from 29 construction sites where workers were in contact with ACM. Data were sorted depending on the combination of the ACM type and the removal technique. For each “ACM-removal technique” combination, ATEM data were used to compute statistical indicators on short, fine and WHO asbestos fibers. Moreover, exposure was assessed taking into account the use of respiratory protective devices (RPD). As in previous studies, no simple relationship was found between results by PCOM and ATEM counting methods. Some ACM, such as asbestos-containing plasters, generated very high dust levels, and some techniques generated considerable levels of dust whatever the ACM treated. On the basis of these observations, recommendations were made to measure and control the occupational exposure limit. General prevention measures to be taken during work with ACM are also suggested. Finally, it is necessary to continue acquiring knowledge, in particular regarding RPD and the dust levels measured by ATEM for the activities not evaluated during this study.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the volunteer professional organizations (SYRTA; the French Federation for Building – FFB; the French National Federation for Public Works – FNTP; the French National Federation for Devolution and Environmental Activities – FNADE) for having made sites available for carrying out the measures during this study, the Union of Health Laboratories in the Building Sector (ULSB), the Ministry of Labor which instigated these works, the labor inspectors who, by monitoring the samples, ensured conformity with the protocol by the laboratories and all the contributors within INRS (staff of the LAICA laboratory, translators, and proofreaders).