Asbestos fiber counts in work zone area of an asbestos-cement factory

Abstract

Levels of asbestos fibers in air at work zone in asbestos-cement (AC) sheets manufacturing factory, M/s Sturdy Industries Ltd, Patiala, Punjab have been studied. Air samples were collected from fiber godown, ingredients mixing, AC sheet manufacturing and the main gate. Phase contrast and polarized microscopic observations on asbestos fibers collected on membrane filters suggests that they are chrysotile. A detailed analysis shows the prevalence of chrysotile fibers (0.04-0.07 f/cc) in the working environment. These fiber counts are less than the existing Indian Standard (0.5 f/cc) and proposed Indian Standard (0.1 f/cc).