Air Monitoring
What is Asbestos Air Monitoring?
Air monitoring is used to assess the levels of respirable asbestos fibres present in the air. Air monitoring is typically undertaken when asbestos containing materials (ACM) are being removed or when ACM’s are in poor condition and potentially releasing asbestos fibres into the air.
Air monitoring must be undertaken in accordance with the Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres [NOHSC:3003 (2005)].
When is Asbestos Air Monitoring required?
SafeWork NSW requires air monitoring be undertaken by a Licenced Asbestos Assessor during all friable asbestos removal works. Friable ACM’s are materials that can be crushed by hand or reduced to powder. Air monitoring is required as part of clearance inspections undertaken upon completion of friable asbestos removal works.
In NSW air monitoring is not required during non-friable asbestos removal works however it is recommended to ensure that areas adjacent the asbestos removal work area have not been impacted by airborne asbestos fibres.
What types of Asbestos Air Monitoring is there?
There are four types of asbestos air monitoring:
Background asbestos air monitoring is used to determine the presence and concentration of airborne asbestos fibres prior to asbestos removal works. This can determine the level of fibres in the area prior to asbestos removal works and help determine if control measures used during the asbestos removal works are sufficient.
Control asbestos air monitoring tests the levels of airborne asbestos fibres around the perimeter of an asbestos removal work area to ensure the safety controls used are sufficient and in accordance with SafeWork NSW legislation.
Clearance asbestos air monitoring involves testing the level of airborne fibres in an asbestos removal work area upon completion of asbestos removal works. The level of airborne asbestos fibres must be below the legislative threshold of 0.01 fibres/mL of air before the area is clear and can be reoccupied.
Exposure asbestos air monitoring involves collecting air samples from within the breathing zone to determine a person’s exposure to airborne asbestos fibres. This type of air monitoring is used in occupational environments to estimate a person’s exposure to asbestos and compare the result with the national exposure standard.