Saturday 20, November, 2004, 09:30-18:30, (16:00-17:00, Q&A) No.3 CR
Sunday 21, November, 2004, 09:30-12:30, No.3 CR
Poster Sessions
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Ivancica Trosic
Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia
ABSTRACT
For some time now, collaborative initiative has been launched worldwide in order to eliminate risks inherent to asbestos use and the production of asbestos-containing materials. Reflecting the fast growing concern about asbestos-related health hazards, its use in the European Union will be fully banned in 2005. Nowadays, concerted action against asbestos risks and its threatening transfer to the developing world is urgently needed. Most European buildings, built in 1960s or 1970s, currently calling for the first mayor renovation, also contain asbestos. In a number of cases, the presence of asbestos was revealed not before the renovation started. Furthermore, despite common belief that the asbestos had been banned, this hazardous substance is still being added to various products. The assessment of the extent to which asbestos-containing materials are present in public and commercial buildings, plants and equipment poses as a decisive directive in the prevention of asbestos-related health hazards. Therefore, forty six selected construction bulk materials have been analyzed by optimized asbestos containing material method MDHS 77 HSE UK. The materials were analyzed by means of polarizing microscopy, reference samples and related high dispersion liquids. Out of forty six materials, thirty were identified as asbestos-positive. Twenty two contained chrysotile, five crocidolite, thirteen amosite, and only one contained anthophyllite, whereas actinolite and tremolite were not found in any of the examined materials. On more than one occasion, various types of asbestos have been found in a single material. Eight of the examined asbestos-containing materials contained two, and 3 as much as three types of asbestos. Effective monitoring of asbestos-containing materials represents a valuable contribution to the establishment of an international bank of such products and asbestos substitutes, as well as to the good practice of asbestos management.