US EPA

27795 

Book/Book Chapter 

The behaviour of airborne asbestos fibres in indoor air 

Bragg, GM 

1990 

Yes 

Indoor Air
ISSN: 0905-6947
EISSN: 1600-0668 

NIOSH/00225932 

3 

747-752 

The behavior of asbestos fibers in indoor air was described in this review. A study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as several other studies, have been unable to demonstrate significant relationships between indoor and outdoor levels of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations or between indoor asbestos fiber levels and the presence or absence of asbestos containing materials. Mechanisms affecting the generation of asbestos dusts, the life history of asbestos fibers in the air, and the elimination of such fibers were described and discussed. Studies on the effects of air change rates on the airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers were reviewed. Based on the results of such studies, the author concludes that under normal rates of air exchange, the effects of a large indoor release of asbestos fibers would be eliminated in a matter of hours. The author also concludes that an unlikely combination of forces must occur in order for respirable asbestos fibers to be suspended in air and, in the event that such a situation should develop, normal air circulation rates plus electrostatic precipitation will quickly work to decrease airborne concentrations. 

DCN-225877; Indoor air pollution; Air quality; Asbestos fibers; Airborne dusts; Airborne fibers; Air contamination; Air flow; Industrial hygiene; Environmental exposure