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Evaluating Levels of Airborne Dust in Synthetic Organic Fiber Manufacturing Facilities

Georgia A. Hart, Robert H. Klawitter, Charles M. Carter and Thomas W. Hesterberg


 
ABSTRACT

Methods for evaluating exposure to airborne synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs) and asbestos have been standardized for more than a decade. However, there are no validated methods for evaluating airborne synthetic organic fiber (SOF) levels. Major differences between SVFs and SOFs (SOFs tend to be less dense, curly, and have a static charge) suggest that rules for evaluating SVFs and criteria for their respirability may not directly apply to SOFs. Thus, we investigated 3 methods for monitoring airborne fiber levels generated during the manufacture of polyolefin fibers. Simultaneous samples were collected using (a) personal 8-stage cascade impactors, (b) personal air samplers with methylcellulose filters, and (c) personal air samplers with Nuclepore® filters. Fibers from a-b were counted using optical microscopy (OM). Fibers from c were counted and measured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 2000X. Conclusions were: (a) SOFs with diameters 6 m may be respirable (in contrast to diameters <3 m for SVFs); (b) impactor results for SOFs did not reflect actual counts; (c) PCOM evaluation (NIOSH 7400 A Rules) was adequate for these samples; (d) adequacy of OM evaluation should be confirmed by collecting a sample on a Nuclepore® filter and analyzing using SEM.



Reprinted from Proceedings of the 2000 Beltwide Cotton Conferences pg. 181
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Saturday, Jun 17 2000