The Critical Role of Air Monitoring in Asbestos Management

Air monitoring is a crucial practice in both environmental and occupational health, aiming to ensure the air quality in various settings is safe for human exposure. It involves the systematic collection and analysis of air samples to detect the presence and concentration of airborne contaminants. This process is particularly vital in environments where asbestos, a hazardous material, may be present. Asbestos fibres, when inhaled, can cause severe health issues, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Asbestos air monitoring specifically looks at fibrous particulate within the air samples to assist in assessing the exposure and/or effectiveness of control measures used. For the purposes of asbestos air monitoring, only respirable fibres (those fibres less than 3µm in width, greater than 5µm in length with a length to width ration of greater than 3 to 1) are considered to be a risk.

The analytical method used throughout Australia relies on optical identification of fibrous particulate using phase contrast microscopy (PCM). It involves capturing air samples on membrane filters and examining them under a phase contrast microscope. This method does not allow for the identification of fibres counted, therefore there is a presumption that all fibres observed under PCM are asbestos.

When Should Asbestos Air Monitoring be Conducted

The National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres [NOHSC:3003(2005)] recommends asbestos air monitoring in situations where asbestos is being actively removed or disturbed. When the asbestos material is friable (meaning that the material can be crushed using normal hand pressure to release fibres) air monitoring is mandatory under the Victoria Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017.

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Methods of Air Monitoring

Exposure Air Monitoring: Involves testing the air in a person’s breathing zone during their normal working activities. Exposure air monitoring directly assesses a person’s exposure, and therefore it can be compared directly with the national exposure standard.

Control Air Monitoring: Involves testing air from static locations associated with specific work practices, such as asbestos removal works. Control air monitoring assesses the effectiveness of control measures used during works. This type of monitoring provides an indication of the likely concentrations within areas directly adjacent to or within asbestos work areas, but does not provide information on exposure of personnel, therefore it cannot be directly compared to the national exposure standard.

Background or Boundary Asbestos Air Monitoring: This form of control monitoring involves testing the air for respirable fibres around the boundary of an asbestos removal work area to ensure that the controls in place are adequate to prevent the movement of airborne fibre into adjacent areas.
Clearance Air Monitoring: This is a form of control monitoring that is conducted within asbestos removal work areas at the completion of asbestos removal works to ensure that the areas are safe for re-occupation by unprotected personnel. An area is considered ‘clear’ when the airborne asbestos fibre level measured is below 0.01 fibres/mL.

Applications in Asbestos Management

Pre-Removal Monitoring

Before any asbestos removal work begins, it is crucial to establish baseline air quality levels. Pre-removal monitoring helps in understanding the existing air quality and identifying any potential risks associated with asbestos disturbance. This step ensures that all necessary precautions are in place before the removal process starts.

During Removal

Air monitoring during asbestos removal is essential to detect any release of asbestos fibres in real-time. This monitoring ensures that the containment measures are working effectively and that the air quality remains safe. If any increase in fibre concentration is detected, immediate action can be taken to address the issue, thereby protecting the workers and the surrounding environment.

Post-Removal Clearance

Once the asbestos removal work is completed, post-removal clearance involves conducting final air tests to ensure that the area is free of harmful asbestos fibres. Clearance air monitoring provides a final check to confirm that the site is safe for re-entry. A visual clearance certificate is often issued as part of this process, certifying that the area has been thoroughly inspected and is safe for occupancy.

Professional Services

Organisations like Identifibre play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive air monitoring services. These services include:

Visual Clearance Certificates: These certificates are issued after a thorough visual inspection of the area to ensure it is free from asbestos debris.

Smoke Tests and Negative Air Pressure Tests: These tests confirm the effectiveness of containment measures during the removal of friable asbestos.

Ambient Air Monitoring: Conducted in buildings known to have asbestos, ambient air monitoring tracks the ongoing air quality during regular business operations.

Synthetic Mineral fibre (SMF) Air Monitoring: This includes both background and clearance monitoring for SMF removal works.

Contact Identifibre Today!

For more detailed information on air monitoring and related services contact Identifibre on (03)9563 2957 or via email at contact@identifibre.com.au.

Asbestos coated metal sheet (Galbestos)

Usage: Galvanised iron sheets with a coating of asbestos on each side. Commonly used as external roof and wall cladding.

Vermiculite

Usage: Provides fire rated insulation in industrial and commercial buildings. Can also be used as a decorative finish to ceilings.

Block insulation / lagging

Usage: Provides heat insulation for pipes and vessels. More commonly found in industrial properties.

Mastic sealant

Usage: Joint sealant within building structures, air conditioning plant and ductwork.

Compressed gaskets

Usage: Provides heat and chemical resistance within pipework flange joins.

Sheet vinyl floor covering with millboard backing

Usage: Floor and bench top covering.

Limpet (White Asbestos)

Usage: Provides fire protection on beams, walls, ceilings and penetrations. Can also provide sound insulation.

Limpet (Brown Asbestos)

Usage: Provides fire protection on beams, walls, ceilings and penetrations. Can also provide sound insulation.

Limpet (Blue Asbestos)

Usage: Provides fire protection on beams, walls, ceilings and penetrations. Can also provide sound insulation.

Bituminous membrane (Malthoid)

Usage: Prevents water movement across the membrane. Might be present on building roofs, as a lining inside tanks or around buried pipework or structures.

Millboard

Usage: Provides heat and chemical resistance, and non-conductive seal in electrical components.

Black tar electrical board (Zelemite)

Usage: Commonly used as a backing board for electrical components, including switchboards, fuse panels and gauges.

Fire door core insulation

Usage: Fire rated insulation lining present within fire doors. Doors may have several different layers.

Woven asbestos rope/cloth

Usage: Flexible heat and electrical insulation barrier. Commonly found lining older ceramic electrical fuses, as door seals for heaters and ovens, window seals and numerous other uses.

Low density fibre board (Asbestolux)

Usage: Commonly used as interior fire resistant ceiling sheeting and wall linings.

Laminated cement sheet

Usage: Decorative cladding used in domestic construction, commonly in wet areas.

Asbestos cement

Usage: Heat resistant filling material for building penetrations and voids. Also used as a fire rating material on critical building fittings.

Corrugated cement sheet

Usage: Primarily used as roof and external wall cladding throughout industrial and residential buildings.

Cement sheet

Usage: Various uses such as cladding and underlay in construction. Chemical, heat, moisture and pest resistant.

Brake pads

Usage: Primarily used as friction materials in brake pads and clutch plates present in mechanical, automotive and other applications.

SERVICES

Asbestos Testing

Identifibre is a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) endorsed laboratory for analysis of bulk samples of building materials and soil samples for the presence of asbestos. With an experienced team of analysts, we offer a variety of turnaround times to suit budget and time restraints.

Air Monitoring & Clearance Certificates

Identifibre provides all hygiene services required for asbestos removal works including air monitoring, visual inspections, clearance certificates and other services to ensure adequate control measures are in place before, during and after removal works.

Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Plans

Identifibre can provide a complete asbestos management solution, incorporating the asbestos assessment and management plan framework adapted to your particular organisation structure.

Asbestos Sample Testing

Air Monitoring & Clearance Certificates

Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Plans

Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Surveys & Risk Assessments

Identifibre’s Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Surveys and Risk Assessments (Division 6) detail the location and condition of asbestos and other hazardous materials that may be disturbed during demolition or refurbishment works on a building, structure, ship or plant where asbestos is fixed or installed.

Asbestos in the Workplace Surveys & Risk Assessments

Identifibre can assist your workplace to comply with the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and the Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations by carrying out a Division 5 Asbestos in the Workplace Survey and Risk Assessment in a timely, accurate and cost effective manner.

Asbestos Awareness Training

Identifibre’s asbestos awareness training course provides guidance on identifying asbestos containing materials and how to work safely where asbestos may be suspected or confirmed.

Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Surveys & Risk Assessments

Asbestos in the Workplace Surveys & Risk Assessments

Asbestos Awareness Training

Project Management & Supervision

Identifibre can provide management assistance in all phases of asbestos abatement activities, from preparation of specifications through to project completion, including supervision and final clearance certification.

Asbestos Contaminated Land Assessments

Asbestos is commonly found within soil and fill material associated with commercial or residential construction. Contact Identifibre for expert advice to investigate and assess the site, including soil, and develop appropriate risk management strategies.

Respiratory Protection Fit Testing

All personnel who are required to remove or disturb asbestos-containing materials must use adequate respiratory protection for the task. Identifibre offer respiratory mask fit tests with all Identifibre fit testers RESP-Fit accredited.