US EPA

3649689 

Journal Article 

Evaluation of Three Cleaning Methods for Removing Asbestos from Carpet: Determination of Airborne Asbestos Concentrations Associated with Each Method 

Kominsky, JR; Freyberg, DW; Brackett, KA 

1993 

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, CINCINNATI, OH 45268 (USA) 

23 

90 

English 

Final summary rept. ed in cooperation with International Technology Corp., Cincinnati, OH. Sponsored by Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH. Risk Reduction Engineering Lab. udy was conducted to compare the effectiveness of three cleaning methods to remove asbestos from contaminated carpet and to determine the airborne asbestos concentrations associated with the use of each method. The carpet on which the methods were tested was naturally contaminated over a period of approximately 15 to 20 years from fallout of asbestos-containing material in ceiling tiles and fireproofing. The effectiveness of dry vacuuming using vacuum cleaners with and without a high-efficiency particulate air filter was compared with that of wet cleaning using a hot-water extraction cleaner. Overall, wet cleaning with a hot-water extraction cleaner reduced the level of asbestos contamination in the carpet by approximately 60 percent. No significant evidence was found to indicate either an increase or a decrease in carpet asbestos concentration after dry vacuuming. 

Asbestos; Carpets; Air pollution control; Vacuum cleaners; Vacuum filters; Indoor air pollution; Air pollution sampling; Air filters; Exposure; Particle size distribution; Wet vacuuming; Dry vacuuming