Testing of Hair Dryers for Asbestos Emissions

摘要

Tests were conducted on 30 hair dryers for the release of asbestos (1332214) fibers into the effluent air to evaluate potential consumer exposure, for the Consumer Product Safety Commission. A hair dryer test system was developed, consisting of a clean air source, a sampling duct assembly, several types of monitoring equipment and filter samplers. Generated samples were assessed by transmission electron microscopy capable of performing energy dispersive analysis of x-rays and selected area electron diffraction. Of the 30 dryers evaluated, 23 were home use hand-held appliances, three were table-top hooded models, one was a hobby heat gun, and one was a heavy duty commercial salon style dryer. The airborne asbestos concentrations generated by these dryers ranged from 0 to 0.11 structures/cubic centimeter and the mass concentrations ranged from 0 to 7652 nanograms/cubic meter. No significant differences were noted whether the dryers were operated at high heat or at cycled heat.