What is asbestos?
Asbestos refers to naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals. These particles have a minimum fiber diameter of up to 2 micrometers - 1 micrometer corresponds to one thousandth of a millimeter. Due to its characteristic properties such as chemical resistance, high elasticity and tensile strength, insensitivity to heat and the fact that it is not flammable, asbestos was often used in building materials in the past. The materials were primarily used in panels for building construction, in asbestos cement and for seals and molding compounds.
Why is asbestos dangerous & why should you measure the pollutant indoors?
Asbestos is clearly a carcinogenic pollutant. A particular problem is that the material breaks down into fine fibers that float in the air and can therefore be easily inhaled. In addition, the asbestos fibers settle in the lungs, can migrate to the pleura and peritoneum and irritate the tissue there. There is a risk of hardening of the lungs due to scar tissue - so-called asbestosis, an occupational disease recognized as early as 1936. The fibers can also cause lung cancer or mesothelioma, tumors of the lungs or peritoneum. The time between inhaling the asbestos and the onset of the disease can be up to 30 years.
No other material has been used in such large quantities since 1930. According to the Federal Environment Agency, asbestos consumption between 1950 and 1985 amounted to around 4.4 million tons and was processed into more than 3,000 different products. Since the end of 1993, the manufacture, marketing and use of asbestos and products containing asbestos has been banned in Germany. However, as building materials containing asbestos were used until then, especially in office buildings, there is still the possibility of exposure to asbestos, particularly in the workplace. It is therefore advisable to test the air quality in areas at risk.
Functionality of the air-Q particulate matter sensor & use for asbestos measurement
The air-Q particulate matter sensor was developed to monitor air quality by measuring particles in the air. Even particulate matter particles with a size of less than 1 µm (1 millionth of a meter / 0.000001 m) can be detected by the sensitive sensor and thus offers particularly good measurement accuracy. Although the sensor was not originally designed specifically for asbestos, it is able to detect particles of various sizes. These particles can also include asbestos fibers. This means that when measuring indoor air for the pollutant particulates , certain measurement results such as particle size can indicate the presence of asbestos. The sensor works on the principle of light scattering. A laser beam is sent through the air samples and the scattering of light by particles is measured. This method makes it possible to determine the concentration and size of the particles.
Detection of asbestos fibers by the air-Q air measuring device
Asbestos fibers have specific physical properties that distinguish them from other particles. They are very thin and long. As a result, they can penetrate deep into the lungs and are particularly dangerous. The air-Q's particulate matter sensor can detect particles in the micrometer range, including asbestos fibres. By analyzing the concentration and size of the particles detected, the sensor can provide indications of the presence of asbestos.
Application & advantages of the air-Q
The use of the air-Q particulate matter sensor for asbestos detection offers several advantages:
- Real-time monitoring: The sensor provides you with continuous real-time data on air quality so that you can react immediately to increased concentrations of potentially hazardous particles.
- Mobility: The air-Q is a portable device that you can use flexibly at different locations. This allows you to analyze the air quality at different locations in a property - which is particularly useful when examining old buildings and renovation projects.
- Ease of use: The device is easy to use and provides comprehensible data that can be interpreted without specialist knowledge.
Can asbestos be measured in the air? What other methods are there for measuring asbestos?
Asbestos cannot be seen with the naked eye, but it can be measured. This requires a professional evaluation. In addition to an indoor air analysis using the air-Q particulate matter sensor, other methods of asbestos measurement are possible: such as an air analysis or a material analysis by an expert with a respective sample evaluation in the laboratory. For both methods, an expert takes samples on site and then analyzes them.
Asbestos measurement using a special indoor air measurement
Asbestos room air analysis determines the concentration of asbestos fibers in the room air. A special sampling device is set up for this purpose and the samples are analyzed in the laboratory under a scanning electron microscope. This variant is very costly and time-consuming, as the measuring device has to filter the air in different rooms on different days in order to obtain meaningful measured values and also requires evaluation by specialist personnel. A disadvantage is that asbestos can only be measured if it has been released into the room air by damaged building materials or other products containing asbestos. Completely undamaged products, however, do not release any fibers.
Asbestos measurement by material sample
Another option for measuring asbestos is to take a material sample. To do this, a specialist first inspects the property and takes samples of any materials that may contain asbestos for subsequent assessment in the laboratory. For this test, the affected component must be slightly damaged. To rule out any health risks, no other people may be present in the room while the material is being removed. A binding agent is applied to the area so that no more fibers are released after removal.
Conclusion
Air quality monitoring for asbestos is essential in buildings constructed before 1993 to minimize health risks. The air-Q's particulate matter sensor provides a practical solution for detecting and monitoring asbestos fibers in the air by allowing the results of the particulate matter measurement to provide an indication of asbestos as a pollutant. By continuously and accurately measuring particles, the air-Q can help create safer environments and reduce exposure to hazardous substances.
For a dedicated asbestos measurement, we are planning to develop our own system that can accurately determine asbestos. As soon as we have completed a suitable measuring device, we will inform you here.
