Risk assessment of the decay of asbestos cement roofs.
OBJECTIVE
In an assessment of the risk of asbestos fibres release from asbestos cement materials, an important role is played by the assessment of the surface corrosion and by the disaggregation of asbestos cement. The aim of this work is to evaluate the differences among several methods used for the risk assessment that lead to a specific choice of abatement techniques.


METHODS
The state of deterioration of 40 asbestos cement roofs was evaluated using two priority assessment algorithms elaborated in Italy, the 'pull-up test' described by the Italian Organization for Standardization and the indicators described in the Italian legislation coupled with the observation of a small sample, taken from each roof, by a stereomicroscope.


RESULTS
The results obtained with the methods, proposed in this study, for the risk assessment of the decay of asbestos cement roofs show slight differences among them, only one deviates from the others in judgement on the state of conservation of the roof.


CONCLUSIONS
It is very important to train the operator conducting the study since a completely subjectivity-free method does not exist. Whatever method is used will always be affected by the subjectivity linked to the competency and the training of the operator. Moreover, each method on its own cannot assess the risk of exposure to asbestos, but reliable assessment of asbestos-containing materials requires the use of more than one method, such as visual inspections, a pull-up test, and an assessment algorithm.
Campopiano
Antonella
A
Department of Occupational Hygiene, National Institute for Occupational Prevention and Safety (ISPESL), 00040 Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy. antonella.campopiano@ispesl.it
Ramires
Deborah
D
Zakrzewska
Aneta Maria
AM
Ferri
Rosa
R
D'annibale
Antonio
A
Pizzutelli
Giancarlo
G
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001194:Asbestos / Q000032:analysis*; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000592:standards*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006798:Housing / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods
D000393:Air Pollutants; D019016:Mineral Fibers; D001194:Asbestos