LCS Laboratory offers a chemical analysis for suspended airborne fibers by NIOSH 7400 procedure, this is a simple and affordable test to evaluate concentration of potentially harmful fibers. This test is commonly employed for the evaluation of concentration of asbestos fibres in the air. Depending on the purpose of the study, different sampling pumps and different sampling procedures should be employed. The article below explains the difference.
1. Residential Air Quality
Chrysotile fibers under PCM
This test is performed as a stop gap procedure when a client wants to know if there are any fibers in the air. In this test is very important to collect a sample that:
a) represents typical concentration of fibers in the house;
b) sensitive enough to measure the concentration of fibers below 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter of air (ff/cc)
Samples are collected 4-6 feet above the ground in what would be a typical breathing zone. LCS will provide an environmental pump calibrated to about 15 L/min, and we ask clients to collect 2-3 hour long sample. This test is sensitive enough to measure as low as o.001-0.002 ff/cc, and works very well for Residential Air Quality. To order your kit online, please follow the link below:
2. Asbestos Clearance Test
This test is performed to demonstrate that there are no fibers left in the air after professional asbestos remediation. The test is performed by a contractor or a professional air quality specialist before the remediation enclosures are taken down. Sampling should be performed in compliance with the law. In Ontario it is “Ontario asbestos regulation 278/05” (it is available online, 2018). This regulation requires 2500L of air to be collected using environmental pumps, while disturbing the settled dust to generate highest possible dust concentration in air. Multiple samples must be collected and submitted for analysis together with several blank (clean) samples. The clearance level is established at 0.01 ff/cc. Only when all collected samples show a concentration of fibers below of 0.01 ff/cc, the remediation is considered complete, and tenants may return. Since this test is mandatory and regulated, the laws must be followed. Please email us to order your custom built clearance kit.
3. Occupational Exposure Assessment
This test is performed to evaluate personal exposure while working with asbestos. This test is performed using a personal pump which is worn by a worker. Workplace exposure should not exceed 0.1 ff/cc for asbestos fibers or 1 ff/cc for glass and rock wool (MOL OEL, 2018) . This sensitivity is easily achievable and generally 2-3 hours of sampling at 1-2 L/min is sufficient.
If you need to collect air samples for fibers, please contact us to discuss your project.
