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3094201 
Journal Article 
Vacuuming Asbestos Fireproofing Debris from Ceiling Tiles 
Terrell, PG; Cichon, FK 
1994 
Yes 
Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
ISSN: 1047-322X
EISSN: 1521-0898 
NIOSH/00224995 
9 
11 
908-910 
The effectiveness of engineering controls used to minimize fiber releases while vacuuming asbestos (1332214) containing fireproofing debris from the top of ceiling tiles in an office building was evaluated. The study was conducted during the removal by vacuuming of debris in the return air plenums containing spray applied fireproofing in a 100,000 square foot occupied office building. The fireproofing which had been applied to the beams, decking, and ductwork in the plenums was 1 to 2 inches thick and contained chrysotile (12001295). The control methods included using high efficiency particulate air filter vacuums to place the removal work areas under slight negative pressure, portable decontamination chambers sealed against the tiles at the bottom of the plenum, disposable suits and half face respirators, detailed specifications for all phases of the project, performing the work after hours, and shutting down all heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems during operations. Personal and area air samples were collected and analyzed for fibrous dusts. Fiber concentrations measured in the personal and area air samples, completion samples, and ambient samples were very low, varying from 0.007 to 0.01, 0.006 to 0.018, 0.003 to 0.08, and 0.002 to 0.004 fiber per milliliter (f/ml), respectively. Very few fiber samples contained asbestos; most of the fibers were fibrous glass and cellulose. Two personal air samples containing the highest fiber concentrations contained only 0.0006 asbestos equivalents. The authors conclude that fiber exposures to workers performing the vacuuming work were very low. The fibers were almost exclusively cellulose and fibrous glass. Debris on the tops of ceiling tiles in occupied buildings can be safely vacuumed if careful work practices and engineering controls are used and monitored.