Potential significance of airborne fiber dimensions measured in the U.S. refractory ceramic fiber manufacturing industry
Lentz, Thomas J. ; Rice, Carol H. ; Lockey, James E. ; Succop, Paul A. ; Lemasters, Grace K.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
1999
36
2
286-298
airborne dust ; determination in air ; dust measurement ; electron microscopy ; fibre counts ; glass fibres ; man-made fibres ; mass concentration determination ; mineral fibres ; pleural thickening ; respirable dust
English
Background To determine dimensions of airborne fibers in the U.S. refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) manufacturing industry, fibers collected through personal air sampling for employees at RCF manufacturing and processing operations have been measured. Methods Data were derived from transmission electron microscopy analyses of 118 air samples collected over a 20-year period. Results Characteristics of sized fibers include: diameter measurements of <60; 0.19 to 1.0 m, of which 75% are less than 0.6 m; and length ranging from < 0.6 to > 20 m, with 68% of fibers between 2.4 and 20 m. Conclusions Exposures in RCF manufacturing include airborne fibers with dimensions (diameter < 0.1-0.4 m, length < 10 m) historically associated with biological effects in pleural tissues. Air sampling data and a review of studies relating fiber size to pleural effects in animals and humans support the belief that information on fiber dimensions is essential for studies with synthetic vitreous fibers.
Paper
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