Asbestos in Buildings: A National Survey of Asbestos-Containing Friable Materials

摘要

A nationally representative sample of 231 buildings at 10 sites were inspected for potentially asbestos-containing materials. Bulk samples (1,510) were taken and analyzed by Polarized Light Microscopy. Estimates were made of the number and percent of buildings with asbestos-containing friable materials, the square footage of such materials, and the percent asbestos content of the materials. In buildings constructed prior to 1960, ACFM was concentrated primarily in pipe and boiler insulation; in buildings constructed between 1960 and the early 1970's, ACFM was concentrated primarily in sprayed-on or trowelled-on materials. In 1973, EPA banned the use of asbestos thermal and acoustical insulation materials except for decorative purposes, and in 1978 EPA banned them for all purposes.