Asbestos air monitoring involves collecting a measured volume of air through a filter and analyzing that filter for airborne fibers.
Air monitoring may be performed during asbestos abatement, around regulated work areas, following disturbance, or as part of clearance testing. Depending on the objective, samples may be collected inside a containment area, outside the work area, or at other representative locations.
Air monitoring provides different information from bulk sampling. Bulk sampling tells us whether a material contains asbestos; air sampling evaluates airborne fibers or asbestos structures in the air during a particular sampling period.
The analytical method used depends on the purpose of the sampling and applicable project requirements.