This study was investigated the characteristics of fiber particles concentration in 748 schools and 38 public facilities of indoor air, and 11 sites of outdoor air by PCM(phase contrast microscope). Also SEM/EDX(scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive using X-ray analysis) was used to obtain physicochemical information of asbestos fiber particles and to develop of classifying asbestos fiber particles. And the identifying asbestos confirmed in 29 samples for indoor/outdoor airborne.
In this study, the fiber particles defines it was observed by PCM as “Total fiber particles” and “asbestos” was confirmed only the asbestos fiber particle by SEM/EDX. The results were as follows:
1. The indoor airborne concentrations of total fiber particles were 0.0011±0.0007 f/cc in schools and 0.0015±0.0007 f/cc in public facilities by PCM. All the samples were satisfied with the IAQ(Indoor air quality) level of 0.01 f/cc. In classification of 4 type shapes, over 90 % of the fiber particles were identified as single fiber type.
2. The outdoor airborne concentrations of total fiber particles were 0.0007±0.0002 f/cc, and lower than those of indoor airborne concentrations.
3. SEM/EDX was used to obtain length, width, aspect ratio, shape for physical information and C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ti, Zn for chemical information of asbestos and non-asbestos. As a result, asbestiform were flexibility, thickness, long needle and relatively width smaller than glassfiber and rockwool. Also chemical composition of asbestos and non-asbestos were a little differences. The physicochemical Characteristics were to classify both asbestos and non-asbestos fibers and finally to develop of classifying asbestos fiber particles.
4. This study analysed airborne fiber particles in 11 sites for identifying asbestos of by SEM/EDX. The asbestos fibers in most samples could not be found.