Asbestos measurement via GSA measuring devices GSA measuring device SG12 – Fibre measurements of asbestos fibers
Fibre measurements of asbestos fibres are used to identify dangerous fibers that are harmful to health in order to prevent dangerous health effects. For example, asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer. The GSA Messgerätebau has a selection of measuring devices such as the measuring device SG12 to detect and measure asbestos fiber occurrences.
What is a fibre?
A fibre is defined by its specific elongated geometry. This includes a length greater than 5µm and a diameter smaller than 3µm. This results in a characteristic length-to-diameter ratio of 3:1. These special fibers are called WHO fibers. Examples of fibers of this type are asbestos, organic or artificial mineral fibers.
There are various areas of application for the different fibers. For example, asbestos used to be used in house construction. Since 1993, it has been prohibited in Germany to sell, manufacture or otherwise use asbestos or products containing asbestos.
Artificial mineral fibres (AMF for short) are synthetically produced fibers that have a wide range of applications. An enormous advantage lies in their properties. On the one hand, they are non-combustible and very heat-resistant. They also have good thermal insulation properties, meaning that they are often used in building materials, interior walls or floor coverings. A typical artificial mineral fiber is glass wool, for example, which is used for thermal insulation.
Why are artificial mineral fibres dangerous?
Despite their versatility, artificial mineral fibres pose some risks. Due to their structure, they can cause itching or skin irritation. This is particularly common with glass wool. However, the fibers not only cause irritation on the skin, but also in the lungs. Due to their size and geometry, WHO fibers can penetrate the lungs. They can penetrate into the deeper airways and irritate the alveoli there, triggering respiratory diseases. The type of fiber poses a further risk. Asbestos fibers are particularly dangerous as they can trigger asbestosis and significantly increase the risk of lung cancer.
How are they measured?
One possibility for fiber analysis of AMF is measurement in accordance with VDI 3492. This guideline explains a method “for determining the fiber count concentration of inorganic fibrous particles in indoor or outdoor air and their assignment to specific fiber classes (chrysotile, amphibole asbestos, calcium sulfate, other inorganic fibers).” Such fibre measurements for AMF can be carried out with our measuring device SG12.
The fibers are counted and assigned using the SEM/EXDA method (scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis). The detection limit for this method is a fibre count concentration of 300/cbm. This method is carried out in accordance with BGI 505-46, among others. This guideline describes various measurement methods in which, for example, our SG5100ex / SG5200 devices are used.
Sources:
[1] https://www.vdi.de/uploads/tx_vdirili/pdf/1990556.pdf
[2] http://www.dguv.de/medien/ifa/de/pra/asbest/leitfaden_expositionsmessungen.pdf
[3] https://www.ifa-arbeitsmappedigital.de/ce/verfahren-zur-analytischen-bestimmung-geringer-massengehalte-von-asbestfasern-in-pulvern-pudern-und-staeuben-mit-rem-edx/detail.html
[4] http://www.gsa-ratingen.de/leistungsangebot/faseranalyse.html
[5] http://www.dguv.de/staub-info/was-ist-staub/fasern/index.jsp
[6] http://www.gesamtverband-schadstoff.de/files/k__nstliche_mineralfasern__kmf_.pdf