Developing a Field Method for Safe Removal of Asbestos Insulating Material from Exhaust Pipes: A Health Risk Assessment: [Articles]

Additional keywords: Asbestos, Exhaust pipes, Insulation material, Short exposure Introduction: Handling friable asbestos-fabric may release airborne asbestos fibers that could penetrate lung tissue and cause respiratory illnesses. Maintenance of armored personnel-carrier engines may result in exposure to asbestos since the engine exhaust-pipes are covered with asbestos friable insulation-fabric. The present study examines a field procedure that allows performing asbestos-related maintenance with a reduced health-risk in remote areas. Objective: To evaluate a field-method for removing friable asbestos insulation from vehicle exhaust pipes that will minimize potential occupational and environmental risk. Methods: The present study was conducted while removing asbestos-fabric insulation from exhaust pipes in an open area. The fabric was pre-treated by wetting with a detergent-water solution and wrapping with polyethylene sheets before removal of the vehicle exhaust-pipes. Afterwards, the fabric was removed from exhaust-pipes in a portable closed tent under HEPA-conditions. Personal and environmental airborne asbestos measurements were made over the entire work period. The results were compared to occupational and environmental standards. Results: Sixteen of the 18 personal short-term exposure measurements and the two long-term exposure measurements during exhaust pipe removal were below the analytical detection-limits. Two short-term exposures had low detectable results (0.046 fiber/cc and 0.06 fiber/cc). The personal sample results measured during fabric removal were negligible (one result below the analytical detection-limit, and the second was low (0.01 fiber/cc). Environmental airborne-asbestos samples were below the analytical detection-limit. Conclusions: The findings of the study show that pre-treatment of the insulating fabric on exhaust pipes, and using a portable closed structure with HEPA system, can dramatically reduce personal and environmental exposure to asbestos in performing asbestos removal tasks. (from article)