MASS CONCENTRATION OF AIRBORNE MAN-MADE MINERAL FIBRES

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Abstract
Both fibre numbers and total dust concentrations are commonly used measures or MMMF and dual standards have been proposed. The mass contribution of fibres in a sample of airborne dust is thus a significant factor. Formulae are given for volume-weighted size distributions of fibres. The median aerodynamic diameter is in the range 2.3–5 μm and the median volume-weighted diameter of conventional MMMF is in the range 10–50 μm. Calculations then show that respirable fibres ( L >5, D 0.2–3μm) contribute very little to the total fibre mass, that only about 50% are inspirable and that a significant weight fraction is deposited in the nose. Theoretical and experimental mass/number indices (MNI), converting respirable fibres by number to total mass of airborne fibres (mg m −3 ), are given. The results show that MMMF contribute significantly to the total dust concentration.

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