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O PERSPECTIVE An SKC Inc. Newsletter Volume 2. Number 5 July 1986 NEW OSHA STANDARD EFFECTIVE JULY '86 PEL: 0.2 fibers/cc OSHA Reference Method *t coils for 25 mm filters, but use of 37 mm filters is acceptable. Sampling using specifications m N/OSH Method 7400 are acceptable for the new OSHA standard. Copies of NIOSH Method 7400 are available from SKC Customer Service Department at no charge 800-752-8472 In PA: 800-242-1276 ASBESTOS ASBESTOS AIR MONITORING ASBESTOS...|usi the mere mention of the word arouses dismal feelings of health hazards, litigation and a myriad of prooiems. But it was not so long ago that asbestos was consioered a solution rather than a problem. Before the mid-l970's asbestos was used extensively in buildings lor fireproofing, insulating, acoustical and decorative purposes. It was non-combustible, durable and had a hign tensile strength. But in the 1970's the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began to be concerned about the potential health hazards associated with exposure to asbestos fibers. Medical evidence revealed that inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to asbestosis mesothelioma, lung cancer and various other forms of cancer. The degree of hazard associated with asbestos is dependent upon the potential for fiber release including location, accessibility, condition, friability, contact with air currents and population behavior. There are presently three acceptable methods to control asbestos hazards: enclosure, encapsula tion and removal. Removal is often the method of choice since it will permanently alleviate the problem. Air monitoring is an integral part of an asbestos abatement program. Monitoring is conducted: Before - abatement begins to determine ambient fiber levels Ouring - the protect to assess fiber levels both inside and outside the work area After - the protect has been complete to determine if clearance levels have been met With the additional emphasis being placed on asbestos abatement presently, the field of air monitoring has become quite sopmsticated. SKC is there every step of the way to provide the necessary air sampling equip ment and technical support. ASBESTOS HOTLINES i 1. For information on the asbestos content of consumer products, contact the Con sumer Product Safety Commission's hot line: 1-800-638-2772 2. For information on laboratories that can perform analysis of asbestos bulk sam ples, contact EPA's RTI hotline: 1-800-334-8571 3. For technical information and EPA docu ments, contact EPA's TSCA hotline: 1-800-424-9065 4. For a list of state hazardous waste agen cies, contact the RCRA hotline: 1-800-424-9346 5. For information on programs to train con tractors in asbestos handling and abate ment techniques, contact: . ----1-800-835-6700 6. For all your air sampling equipment, con tact SKC, Inc.: 1-800-752-8472 (In PA: 800-242-1276) ...................- ASBESTOS SAMPLE ANALYSIS Current standards issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (or industrial workplaces and sampling prctccols issued by NIOSH are based upcn analysis by phase ccntrast microscopy (PCM). PCM has been used for many years and is generally a reliable, rapid and inexpensive means for assessing airborne asbestos. However. PCM has two drawbacks which limit its usefulness in abatement protects: sensitivity and specificity. Technologically, the method of choice is transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM has an extremely low sensitivity and is specific for asbestos. Because of these characteristics. TEM is usually encouraged following final cleanup to determine if the clearance levels have been met. However, cost, turn-around time and availability limit the widespread use of TEM at this time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has also been used to analyze asbestos samples. SEM lies midway between PCM and TEM in its advantages and disadvantages. However, because there is no standard method for asbestos analysis by SEM. it is not widely used. ASBESTOS ABATEMENT SITES ARE VERY WET ENVIRONMENTS. KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS... 1. Air sampling pumps should be covered (e.g. in a plastic bag) to avoid pulling water into the internal mechanism. 2. Avoid wetting the filter cassettes as the filters will rupture when wet. -- - - 3. All electrical equipment should be properly grounded and insulated to reduce the poten tial for electric shocks. (Don't forget burglar alarms and fire alarms: they are a source of unexpected electrical wires.) 4. Elevate electrical winng whenever possible to keep it away from the wet floor. 5. Workers should be trained to avoid the slip ping hazard posed by the wet floor. Rubber boots may be a good alternative to booties. 6. Wet asbestos is very heavy. Ergonomic con cerns should be addressed at the onset of the project. 7. Asbestos wetting agents can cause derma titis. Personal protective equipment and per sonal hygiene are essential. 8. Waste water may require filtering. Asbestos conditioning wastes are not considered haz ardous according to the Resource Conserva tion and Recovery Act (RCRA). However, some states and local authonties have more stnngent regulations. 377284 >4j$5dujsn 6fUQ MJQ S BuijdumQ JTJ vrn pmm 49C91 Vd t ON HUIMd OlVd aovisod s*n aiva nna Universal Flow Personal Sampler 0SV ciuoA|Asuud 'jno^ A^qoipoo*j msia AeijOA p ONI OXS FEATURES: Constant Flow Range 1 to 4000 ml/min. Handles Back Pressures to 30" Hz0 over most used flow range Intrinsically Sate Handles all HIOSH/OSHA Tests Built-in Flowmeter Ultra Quiet Operation Tamper Resistant Less than 2 lbs. Moisture Trap 4 Filter SPECIFICATIONS Constant Flow Automatic Electronic Correction lor changes in back pressure at the sample media Flow Range One to 750 ml/min. in low-flow mode. 7,50 to 4000 ml/min. in high-flow mode. Flow Readout Rotameter 1-5 liters Pump Case Valves, Diaphragms Belt Clip Sturdy, nigged, suitable for active worker in work C/3 environment. '--( Silicone Sturdy stainless steel CD CD Dimensions Weight Carrying Case Carrying Case Dimensions 5" x 4.5" x 2" Less than 2 lbs. Sturdy, lightweight plastic a" x 12" x 3'A" - Single Pump Kit 16' x 20Vs" x 8'/2" - 5 Pump Kit cn --I cn CD Aircheck VIII High Volume Personal Sampler, as described complete with battery pack. Description Catalog No. Price/Each Pump Only Single Pump Kit Five Pump Kit 224-43 224-43K 224-43K 5 S 395.00 S 512.50 $2562.50 FILTERS AND ACCESSORIES Air monitoring lor asbestos is done by pulling a known volume of air through a filter of specific type and pore size. The original method for asbestos monitoring (NIOSH P&CAM 239, developed in 1977) calls for a mixed cellulose ester filter of 37mm diameter and O.Sum pore size. In 1984 NIOSH issued a revised method (7400) to improve sensitivity and reproducibility. Method 7400 specifies a 25mm mixed cellulose ester filter with a 0.8 to 1 2um pore size. Also recommended is a 50mm electrically conductive extension cowl for personal sampling to reduce electrostatic effects on fiber sampling. Both methods are currently being used. SKC supplies filters and accessories for either method. 377285 SKC COLLECTION EQUIPMENT FOR ASBESTOS DESCRIPTION PRELOAOEO CASSETTES. 3-SECTION. with 0.8 um pore size, MCE filter OIAM (mm) CATALOG NO. 2S 225-3-06 37 225-3-01 PRELOADED CASSETTES. ASSEMBLED WITH COWL. with 0.8 um pore size. MCE filter with 1.2 um pore size. MCE filter FILTER CASSETTE BLANKS. 3-section, clear polystyrene 3-section, clear polystyrene 25 25 - 25 37 225-3-12 225-3-13 225-3-25 -----225-3 RLTERS. WITH SUPPORT PADS muted cellulose-ester, 0.3 um pore size mixed cellulose-ester. 0.8 um core size COWLS. reusable, conductive plastic reusable, aluminum 25 225-19 37 - 225-5 --V - 25 225-3-07 37 - 225-3-08 PRICE/QTY $100.00/50 78.50/48 . 65.00/25 65.00/25 116.00/50 16.00/10 153.60/10C _ __ 30.00/1 UG - 48.00/10C / 10.00/5 15.00/3 1 .1