How Long Can Stay Asbestos Particles Airborne?
From the late 1800s to the 1980s, industries widely used asbestos, from chemical refining and construction to manufacturing. It generated a large variety of asbestos-containing products, which are still in use today. Even if later regulations limited asbestos use in the US, the chlor-alkali industry still imports raw chrysotile asbestos to make diaphragms for chlorine production.
Given its widespread use, estimating the volume of goods made with asbestos is quite challenging; one study estimated that approx. three thousand different types of commercial products contained asbestos. The number of mineral fibers in each product varied from one to 100 percent in older merchandise, such as:
- plastics
- paper products
- brake linings
- floor tiles
- textile products
Moreover, a considerable amount of construction products also contain asbestos fibers:
- sealants
- cement pipe
- cement sheets
- insulation
Due to the material's proven toxicity, exposure to asbestos remains a risk in many older buildings, which may still be a source of contamination. However, it's crucial to note that asbestos products represent a hazard only when disturbed, and if they're in good condition, their presence doesn't pose any risks.
How Does Asbestos Become Airborne in Homes?
Wear and tear damages asbestos's condition, making it brittle. In a residential setting, the material's fibers can become airborne during more significant improvements, such as renovation work. Tearing down walls or older structures disturbs many asbestos-containing construction products, such as:
- insulation
- roofing
- ceiling tiles
- drywalls
- siding
Home renovations include high-impact procedures that will potentially release asbestos dust into the air:
- demolition
- cutting
- sanding
- ripping
Thus, there are other factors causing damage to old residential and commercial properties that may disturb several asbestos construction products, such as:
- weather damage
- fire
How Long Does Asbestos Dust Float?
The answer is complex, and several factors can influence the time asbestos fibers stay in the air - they are so small they cannot be seen with the naked eye, and these microscopic particles mix in with dust, staying airborne for hours. Scientific sources suggest asbestos particles can remain airborne for 48 - 72 hours, but the EPA reports a broader range of 4 - 80 hours for these tiny threads to settle from a height of 9 feet.
Several other factors contribute to the length of floating around. For example, smaller, enclosed spaces with poor airflow tend to retain airborne asbestos fibers for longer. This is why indoor and outdoor airborne asbestos behaves differently.
Indoors, air conditioners and heaters may create enough airflow to keep asbestos fibers afloat. Moreover, some experts in environmental exposure note that merely walking by settled asbestos dust may be enough to disturb it.
The size of particles is another factor: smaller particles stay airborne longer than larger particles, and EPA research shows that even a minuscule variation in the fiber's size can mean the difference between 4 and 80 hours of airborne, long enough to travel long distances. Even after asbestos dust settles, it can become airborne again by air currents, such as a breeze or currents caused by temperature regulation systems.
Outdoors, the concentration of asbestos fibers in the air is considerably lower than indoor levels. However, testing and inspection should still be carried out to guarantee the safety of workers, residents, and the general public.
Monitoring Airborne Asbestos
Professional asbestos testing and inspection can monitor airborne asbestos by gathering air samples; a certified inspector carries out the test, and the sample will undergo laboratory analysis. It's how the concentration of breathable fibers in the air is monitored and the only way to guarantee reliable and accurate results. Licensed professionals can even advise homeowners regarding proper remediation.