Comparative characterization of particle emissions from asbestos and non-asbestos cement roof slates

The first aim of this study was to characterise total and size-fractionated particulate matter (PM) aerosol, including fibres, released from the processing operations of cement roofing slates. The second aim was to compare particle emissions from asbestos-cement and non-asbestos cement sheets, with respect to total and size-fractionated particulate matter as well as fibres emissions. Asbestos and cellulose-based cement sheets were compared during slate treatment processes, namely crushing, rubbing, rasping and scrubbing. Generated PM and fibres were classified by a variety of methods (PM2.5 and PM10 cyclones, aerodynamic particle spectrometer and optical particle counter). A substantial variation in the mass of generated particles has been noticed, both within each PM fraction and between different treatment processes. The PM10/PMtotal concentration ratio ranged from 70 to 98% and PM2.5/PMtotal ratio equalled to ∼20%. The new generation non-asbestos sheets produced three times higher PM emissions than asbestos-cement sheets during crushing operation. Particle size distribution of number concentrations was mostly bimodal (two modes at 0.5 and 2.5 μm). With respect to fibres, the release of cellulose fibres from non-asbestos slates was from 1.8 to 13 times lower in comparison with asbestos fibres. At the same time, cellulose fibre length was 1.4–1.6 times lower. Hence, new generation non-asbestos roofing slates were proved to be less hazardous from the point of view of fibre release, but more hazardous with respect to total particle release.