The natural reduction of threat in selected systems of old buildings containing asbestos

The aim of this study was to measure changes in asbestos dust concentrations over extended use in old building systems. Buildings from different systems during their service lifetimes and after asbestos removal were tested. Asbestos dust concentrations decreased in all building systems due to air exchange and other phenomena in the absence of new active dust sources. Currently, with proper use of those buildings, average values of dust concentrations did not exceed 300–400 f/m(3) with a downward trend to < 300 f/m(3). The results of these studies were obtained with a modified optical microscopy technique, verified by SEM and TEM methods. The graphical trends in concentration changes over longer periods illustrate the potency of opposing factors reducing and increasing indoor air pollution. If removal asbestos work was not carried out carefully, single measurements conducted in the short-term and mandated immediately after asbestos removal may not detect hazards that appear over time. Monitoring buildings over longer periods allows detection of significant contamination changes. In many cases, the minimal air contamination undermines the desirability of removing asbestos in old buildings.