Tj. Lentz et al., Potential significance of airborne fiber dimensions measured in the US refractory ceramic fiber manufacturing industry, AM J IND M, 36(2), 1999, pp. 286-298
Background To determine dimensions of airborne fibers in the U.S. refractor
y ceramic fiber (RCF) manufacturing industry, fibers collected though perso
nal air sampling for employees at RCF manufacturing and processing operatio
ns have been measured.
Methods Data were derived from transmission electron microscopy analyses of
118 air samples collected over a 20-year period.
Results Characteristics of sized fibers include: diameter measurements of <
0.19 to 1.0 mu m, of which 75% are less than 0.6 mu m; and length ranging
from < 0.6 to > 20 mu m, with 68% of fibers between 2.4 and 20 mu m.
Conclusions Exposures in RCF manufacturing include airborne fibers with dim
ensions (diameter < 0.1-0.4 mu m, length < 10 mu m) historically associated
with biological effects in pleural tissues. Air sampling data and a review
of studies relating fiber size to pleural effects in animals and humans su
pport the belief that information on fiber dimensions is essential for stud
ies with synthetic vitreous fibers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 36:286-298, 1999. (C)
1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.