Asbestos Concentrations and Lung Restrictive Patterns

Abstract

Asbestos applications were limited during past two decades in developed nations due to its debilitating health problems, while in developing countries it's various usages continues. The main goals of present study were evaluation of asbestos concentrations in ambient outdoor and indoor air and occupational exposure, as well as exposure effects on pulmonary function. Sampling procedure was carried out during May and June 2010 at four outdoor and seven indoor air sampling stations. Ten persons were selected based on their exposure limits including high, moderate and low exposure. Also to assess pulmonary function of workers, 42 spirometry cases were tested. Samples were analyzed by SEM with EDXA. Obtained results revealed that average concentrations of asbestos fibers were 1.885×10-5 f/mL and 0.065 f/mL in outdoor and indoor air, respectively. Occupational exposure contents were between 1.5 ×10-5 – 0.2 f/mL (based on exposure limits). Spirometry tests showed that 28% of workers had impaired lung functions. Lung restrictive pattern in workers were 2% severe, 12% moderate and 14%. Results showed pattern of fibrous particles as actinolite> termolite> chrysotile in indoor air. Generally, it is clear that there is positive meaningful relationship between more than ten occupational ages and malfunction of lungs in studied workers due to asbestos effects.

Full text

Int. J. Environ. Res., 5(2):555-560, Spring 2011
ISSN: 1735-6865
Received 4 June 2010; Revised 3 Sep. 2010; Accepted 9 Sep. 2010
*Corresponding author E-mail: m.sekhavtjou@khou zestan.srbiau.ac.ir
555
Asbestos Concentrations and Lung Restrictive Patterns
Sekhavatjou, M. S.
*
and Zangeneh, A.
Department of Environmental Engineering, Khuzestan Science and Research branch,
Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Ira n
ABSTRACT: Asbestos applications were limited during past two decades in developed nations due to its
debilitating health problems, while in developing countries it’s various usages continues. The main goals of
present study were evaluation of asbestos concentrations in ambient outdoor and indoor air and occupational
exposure, as well as exposure effects on pulmonary function. Sampling procedure was carried out during May
and June 2010 at four outdoor and seven indoor air sampling stations. Ten persons were selected based on their
exposure limits including high, moderate and low exposure. Also to assess pulmonary function of workers, 42
spirometry cases w ere tested. Samples were analyzed by SEM with EDXA. Obtained results revealed that
average concentrations of asbestos fibers were 1.885×10
-5
f/mL and 0.065 f/mL in outdoor and indoor air,
respectively. Occupational exposure contents were between 1.5 ×10
-5
– 0.2 f/mL (based on exposure limits).
Spirometry tests showed that 28% of workers had impaired lung functions. Lung restrictive pattern in
workers were 2% severe, 12% moderate and 14%. Results showed pattern of fibrous particles as actinolite>
termolite> chrysotile in indoor air. Generally, it is clear that there is positive meaningful relationship between
more than ten occupational ages and malfunction of lungs in studied workers due to asbestos effects.
Key words: Environnent, Exposure, Indoor, Ambient, Fibre, Asbestos, SEM
INTRODUCTION
Asbestos fibrous forms have been used for many
years as raw materials for the production of a large
variety of materials (Pastuszka, 2009). Asbestos,
naturally occurring hydrated mineral silicates (Hardy
& Aust, 1995) are mainly comprised of two groups:
serpentine and amphibole (Jaurand et al., 1984).
Serpentine is represented only by chrysotile while
amphiboles include amosite, actinolite, anthophyllite,
crocidolite and tremolite (ATSDR, 2001; Lippmann,
2000; Meeker et al., 2001; Christiansen et al., 2003;
Paustenbach et al., 2004). A variety of mineral fiber
types, especially asbestos, h ave been used as
commercial products for thermal or acoustic insulation
(Baron, 2001). Serpentines are used in industries more
common while amphiboles are more dangerous and
more attributable to asbestos related-diseases
(Hodgson & Darnton, 2000; Mossman et al., 1990).
Issues related to asbestos induced disorders caught
more attention worldwide in last couple of decades
(Lange, 2005). Asbestos is regarded as exceedingly
dangerous because the inhalation of asbestos fibers
can lead to the development of debilitating health
problems. All asbestos-related diseases appear to be
caused from chronic exposure; acute exposure does
not seem to result in serious illness. Fiber toxicity
appears to be primarily a function of fiber
concentration, dimensions and durability in the lungs
(Baron, 2001; Lange, 2005). It has been scientifically
proven that the inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause
serious lung diseases, like mesothelioma (Gualtieri et
al., 2009). The effects of asbestos on the human body
include the asbestifor m variet ies of ser pentine,
riebeckite, grunerite, anthophyllite, tremolite and
actinolite (Pastuszka, 2009; Kakooei et al., 2007). Also
they induce fibrosis, lung cancer (by the inhalation of
asbestos fibers), mesothelioma, and probably other
kinds of intestinal cancer (Mossman et al., 1996;
Anastasiadou & Gidarakos, 2007). While the use of
asbestos has been prohibited or restricted in much of
the developed world consumption is growing in Asia,
Latin America and the Commonwealth of Independent
States (Kazan-Allen, 2005).
MATERIALS & METHODS
Thi s research was carried out in a cement -asbestos
pipe and plate manufacturin g plant that is located in
southwest of Iran near Ahvaz city. Asbestos particles
were collected in ambient outdoor (4 stations), indoor

556
Sekhavatjou, M. S. and Zangeneh, A.
air (7 stations) and workers breathing zone for
occupational exposure during May-June 2010.
Person nel samp les wer e selected based on their
exposure limits including four personnel samples with
directly high exposure, th ree samples with moder ate
exposure and three samples with low exposure. Also
blank samples were determined to prevent any
interference (NIOSH, 1994). Air sampling was performed
according to the standar d method for asbestos
sampling the NIOSH Method 7400. All air samples were
collected on open-face, 25-mm diameter, 0.45-µm pore
size mixed cellulose (MCE) attached to filter cassette
holder connected to a SKC personnel sampling pump
at flow rate 4 l/min. The duration of personnel sampling
for airborne asbestos ranged from 30 to 120 min
(NIOSH, 1994). Sampling pumps were placed 1 m above
ground level away from obstructions that may influence
air flow (NIOSH, 1994; USEPA, 1994). Samples were
placed on cassette holder exactly at the end of sampling
activities and they were transported to a fixed place.
Samples were analyzed by scanning electron
microscopy (model XL30) with energy dispersive (SEM
– EDXA) (VDI, 1991). SEM measur es the surface of
particles on a substrate and allows for good
visualization of fiber morphology (fibers >0.2 ìm in
diameter). A fiber was defined as any particle longer
than 5 ìm and with a length-to-diameter ratio of
3:1(NIOSH, 1994; Kakooei et al., 2009). For quality
assurance 10% of the field samples were recounted
(Baron, 2001). The airborne asbestos concentration is
given by the formula:
C
SEM
= 1000 N.π. r
2
/ V. n
2
.a fibers per millilitre (f/mL)
equation (1)
Where: N is the number of fibers counted; n
2
is the
number of screen areas examined; r (mm) is the radius
of the exposed filter area; a (mm
2
) is the calibrated
screen area; V (liters) is the volume of air sampled.
Also, asbestos fiber concentrations that were
found in th e contaminated filters and the corresponding
values of the upper and lower confidence limits, for a
Poisoning distribution, to 95% probabilities, were
estimated. Spirometric examination is the
most widely
used tests for pulmonary function. In order to assess
the possible effects of asbestos on lung function, 42
spirometry tests were done. Analyses of spirometry
tests were ba sed on American Thoracic Society (ATS)
standard (American Thoracic Society, 1991).
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
All the collected asbestos samples were analyzed
by SEM and the asbestos concentrations were
calculated using equation (1). The results of airborne
asbestos concentr ations in ambi en t outdoor and
indoor air are provided in Table (1). Table (2) sh ows
the results of asbestos fiber concentrations in
personnel samples.
The permissible exposure limits (PEL) for asbestos
is 0.2 f/cm
3
of air as a time-weighted average
concentration (TWA, 8-h work shift with an action
level) and 0.1 f/cm
3
as an hour TWA (OSHA, 1998;
USEPA, 1987). The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure
Limit (REL) is 0.1 f/mL as a TWA concentration for up
to an 8-h work shift (OSHA, 1998).
As Table (1) shows maximum concentration of
asbestos fiber is 3.1×10-5 (f/mL) in ambient outdoor
air, that is lower than permissible exposure level (PEL).
Also indoor asbestos in the air in almost all samples
are lower than PEL, as the geometric mean asbestos
concentrations is 0.065 (f/mL) but in some stations the
asbestos concentrations are higher than PEL.
Although, asbestos concentrations in indoor air are
higher than ambient outdoor air. Table (2) reveals that
all the workers in places with direct and high exposure
of asbestos have more exposure of asbestos
concentrations than PEL, such as material mixing and
productions, finishing, pipeline manufacturing unit and
plate production unit. But workers in other categories
of asbestos expose (moderate and low) have lower
exposure of asbestos concentrations.
The SEM photographs in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 were
obtained by a conventional SEM instrument with a metal
evaporation coating and show airborne chrysotile and
actinolite fibers in the ambient air. The chemical
composition of the fibers was analyzed by energ y-
dispersive x-ray analysis. Relative elemental
concentrations can be estimated from the peak areas in
the EDXA analysis of the airborne asbestos. The SEM
image and EDXA spectrum of chrysotile, actinolite and
tremolite is show the elemental percentage of
magnesium, silicon and iron are 29.32, 58.93 and 7.04%,
respectively in chrysotile fiber. For actinolite elemental
percentage consist silicon (62.25), iron (28.37) and
calcium (6.38) and this elemental structure for tremolite
are as Mg: 21.37%, Si: 46.67% and Fe: 5.51%. Also
different types and compounds of asbestos fibers
collected in outdoor and indoor air and occupational
exposure are tabulated in Table (3). Table (3) indicates
that fibers concentrations in indoor air decreases as
actinolite (66%)>tremolite (22%)> chrysotile (12%). Also,
actinolite has the highest concentration in ambient
outdoor air an d per sonnel samples.
Results of 42 spirometry tests in studied workers
with different a sbestos exposure th at there are different
lung restrictive functions as normal, mild, moderate
and severe. According to these tests, FVC, FEV1 and
FEV1/FVC were determined for all 42 workers. It should

Int. J. Environ. Res., 5(2):555-560, Spring 2011
557
Asbestos
concent ration (f/ml)
Fibers
counted
Number of
sam ples
Area
6.7×10
-6
2 Min
3.1×10
-5
7 Max
1.885×10
-5
4
8
Mean
Ambient outdoor
sampling
1. 3 1× 10
-5
4 Min
0. 13 17 Max
0.065 8
14
Mean
Am bient indoor
sampling
Table 1. Results of asbestos fiber concentrations in ambient and indoor air per fiber
Table 2. results of asbestos fiber concentrations in personnel samples
Asbestos
concentration (f/ml)
Fibers
counte d
personnel
sample
Area
0.18 24 H1
0.2 18 H2
0.14 12 H3
0.15 16 H4
0.17 Me an con centrat ion
1.6-1.8 LCL-UCL
Direct and high
Expose
3.3×10
-5
4 M1
4.5×10
-5
6 M2
5.2×10
-5
7 M3
4.3×10
-5
Me an con centrat ion
(-0.099) -0.1003 LCL-UCL
Moderate
Expose
1.5×10
-5
3 L1
1.5×10
-5
3 L2
3.3×10
-5
4 L3
2.1×10
-5
Me an con centrat ion
(-0.099) -0.1001 LCL-UCL
Low Expose
personnel
Sa mpling
Fig. 1. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of chrysotile fiber (×1000)

558
Asbestos Concentrations and Lung Restrictive Patterns
Fig. 2. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of chrysotile fiber (×2000)
Fig. 3. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of actinolite fiber (×5000)
Table 3. Different types and components of asbestos fibers collected in outdoor and indoor
air and ccupational exposure
Area Fiber types Percentage
Environmental Sampling
(out door ) actinolite 10 0
chrysotile 12
trem olite 22
Environmental
Sampling
(in door) actinolite 66
trem olite 10
chrysotile 20
High and Direct
Expose actinolite 40
Medium Expose trem olite 20
Personnel
Sampling
Low Expose trem olite 10

559
Int. J. Environ. Res., 5(2):555-560, Spring 2011
Table 4. Literature data on the outdoor monitoring of asbestos
Area type and Location Concentration(f/ml) Reference
Home environme nt in Upper Silesia, Poland 0.3×10
-3
–1.8×10
-3
Pastuszka, 2009
Outdoor living areas nearby industrial sites, Germany 0.1×10
-3
–18× 10
-3
Sebastien et al., 1986
Ou tdoor living areas ne arby a dismissed plant, Salonit
Anhovo (Slovenia )
lower
t han 0. 5 ×1 0
-3
Bizjak et al., 1996
Ou tdoor livin g areas nearby a di smissed plant, Szczu cin
(Pola nd)
6.2 ×10
-3
Pastuszka et al., 2000
Ou tdoor livin g areas nearby a di smissed plant, Cerd anyola
(Spain)
<1 × 10
-3
Bologna et al., 2005
Outdoor living areas nearby a plant for the produc tion of
thermo-electrical energy, Castrovillari (Italy)
0.000–1.767×10
-3
C ortese et al., 2 006
Outdoor living areas, Biancavilla (Italy) 0.10×10
-3
–0.56×10
-3
Da mia ni e t al ., 20 0 6
Outdoor living spots nearby the asbestos ex-mining areas
of Alessandria, Torino, and Cuneo, Piedmont (Italy)
0.1×10
-3
–0.2×10
-3
Gi acome lli et al ., 20 06
Unorganized asbestos mills of Rajasthan located at
Beawer, Ind ia
2.00–5.09 Ansari et al., 2007
Railways rolling stock insulation removal plant in Catona,
Reggio Calabria
0.1×10
-3
-2.8 × 10
-3
Falcone et al., 2005
Routine Brake Lining M anufacture, Iran 0.36-1.85(mean) Kakooei et al., 2007
be pointed that 28% of workers in the area of study,
have abnormalities of lung function that might otherwise
be overlooked and can exclude the possibility of some
respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. Abnormalities of lung function in
all studied wor kers in clude different restrictive pattern s
such as severe (2%), moderate (12%) and mild (14%).
While abnormalities percentages of lung function
incr ease to 32% (severe4%) in som e places of th e studied
plant with high exposure (such as material mixing and
productions, finishing, pipeline manufacturing unit and
plate production unit). Also, trends of lung restrictive
patterns changes in workers with different asbestos
concentrations exposure is presented in Fig. (4).
Generally, literatures for environmental asbestos
sampling are summarized in Table (4).
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
10 0
Norma l Mild Modera te Severe
Lu ng r es trictive pattern
p
e rcentag e
Low expos e
Mode rate expos e
High expo se
Fig. 4. Lung restrictive patterns in exposure to different concentrations of asbestos fibers
(based on spirometry tests)
The reported fiber con cen tr ations for the various
sites is extr emely variable ranging from practically zero
in ambient environments up to 50×10-3–10 0×10-3 f/mL
in closed environments. Ansari et al. (2007) reported
that air asbestos concentrations were about 2.00–5.09
(f/mL) in unorganized asbestos mills of Rajasth an
located at Beawer, India, that is really hi gher than PEL.
Pastuszka (2009) reported similar concentration of air
asbestos in Poland and Germany (0.3×10-3–1.8×10-3 f/
mL), respectively that is more than PEL. But as Kakooei
et al. reported air asbestos concentration (0.36-1.85 f/
mL) in a routine brake lining manufacture in Iran is
very higher than permissible limit. The present study
indicates that air asbestos concentrations in some
indoor stations and personnel samples with direct
expose are higher than permissible limit.

560
Sekhavatjou, M. S. and Zangeneh, A.
CONCLUSION
Base on gained results, geometric mean
concentration of asbestos in ambient air (1.885×10-5)
is lower than NIOSH PEL (0.1 f/mL). Also indoor air
asbestos concentrations are higher than permissible
limit in some cases. While the workers who are in places
with direct and high exposure of asbestos receive
higher exposure of asbestos such as material mixing
and productions, finishing, pipeline manufacturing and
plate production unit. Accordingly 28% of workers
have abnormalities of lung function in the area of study.
Also, Abnormalities of lung function in all studied
workers include different restrictive patterns such as
severe (2%), moderate (12%) and mild (14%). The
relationships between work ages and lung malfunction
are positive meaningful (p<0.05) as in worker with
occupational records more than 10 years, abnormalities
of lung function as restrictive pattern are very common.
This mentions that process flow and machinery must
be improved and adequate engineering controls such
as local exhaust ventilation hoods on the process or
complete understanding of proper safe work practices
could be applied.
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