RR1191: Fluorescence Microscopy to measure asbestos in air and lung samples: evaluation of a commercially available method
In Great Britain there are around 5,000 cancer deaths a year attributed to asbestos, mainly due to past industrial exposures. The import and use of all types of asbestos was banned by 1999. Asbestos can be present in any building constructed or refurbished before 2000 and continues to be removed as part of ongoing risk management. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, exposure must be prevented or effectively controlled. For specified activities, duty holders must carry out monitoring of airborne fibres using the HSE approved method: Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM). The number of fibres measured may be greater than the number of asbestos fibres present because PCM does not discriminate between asbestos and non-asbestos fibres and therefore errs on the side of caution. Internationally, alternative methods are being developed to improve the sensitivity of airborne monitoring. There is also international interest in alternative measurement methods for research purposes. Measurement of asbestos fibres in both air and human lung samples is essential in research used to inform decisions internationally by regulators and stakeholders. Researchers often use Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Measurement of very low asbestos fibre concentrations and discrimination of specific asbestos fibre types is increasingly important.
One potential alternative method of fibre measurement, developed in Japan for airborne monitoring, is commercially available in Great Britain. This uses Fluorescence Microscopy: treated asbestos fibres fluoresce under the microscope to allow easier fibre identification and discrimination. This report describes an initial scientific evaluation of the method, for measurements in air and lung samples. The evaluation does not support the use of this method by duty holders or for HSE research.
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive. Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
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