FIBRE RELEASE FROM ASBESTOS GARMENTS

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Abstract
The concentrations of airborne fibres (> 5 μm) in the breathing zones of workers wearing asbestos safety garments were measured using the membrane filter method. At plant 1 where men wore asbestos coats, hoods and mittens, concentrations of fibres ranged from 0·3 to 5·0 fibres/cm3 and the 8 hr time-weighted concentrations from 0·1 to 1·1 fibres/cm3. At plant 2 where hoods, coats, mittens and leggings were worn, concentrations of airborne fibres ranged from 9·9 to 26·2 fibres/cm3 and the 8 hr time-weighted average concentration was 4·7 fibres/cm3. Counts of fibres collected on Nuclepore filters and examined by scanning electron microscopy showed that the concentrations of fibres > 5 μm in length represented 2·3–32 per cent of the total airborne fibre. The difference between the quantities of fibre released from the garments at the different plants was probably related to the methods or materials used in garment manufacture. The results showed that there is a need to identify and to reduce the release of fibre from asbestos safety garments currently supplied to protect persons working in hot environments.

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