Total Dust and Asbestos Concentrations during Asbestos-Containing Materials Abatement in Korea

This study was performed during the abatement of two asbestos-containing materials (ACM): baumlite board (cement flat board) and ceiling textile. The concentrations of total dust for personal sampling were 0.28 and 1.70 mg/m3 during baumlite board and ceiling textile abatements, respectively, when calculated with 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA). The geometric mean (GM) asbestos concentrations were 0.005±1.9 and 0.007±1.6 f/cc for personal sampling and 0.004±1.1 and 0.008±1.6 f/cc for area sampling with 8-hr TWA, respectively. Asbestos exposure concentrations were not significantly different during abatement of the two materials (p > 0.05). Further, no statistical difference existed between personal and area samples during the two abatements (p > 0.05). The concentrations of personal and area samples during both abatements were below the occupational exposure limit (OEL: 0.1 f/cc) of the Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL). The correlation between total dust and asbestos concentrations was low throughout both abatements.