MASS CONCENTRATIONS OF AIRBORNE ASBESTOS IN THE NON-OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT—A PRELIMINARY REPORT OF U.K. MEASUREMENTS

摘要

Airborne asbestos mass concentrations were measured at a number of sites by taking high-volume electrostatic precipitator samples and analysing by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD was shown to overestimate chrysotile levels owing to interference by non-fibrous analogues. The sites sampled included two asbestos waste tips, the immediate environments of two asbestos products factories, a decontamination site and a busy urban road junction, as well as rural and urban background. Levels appreciably above the background were recorded at industrial sites.