Exposure assessment and management of asbestos fibres

Exposure research

TNO can design and coordinate metrology campaigns founded on establishing a suitable metrology strategy that complies with the highest requirements. In such cases, this involves the combination of knowledge of work hygiene and asbestos. By establishing a fit-for-purpose strategy, including the preconditions for quality assurance, the metrological data can be used for intervention studies, as a basis for exposure modelling or as input for validating a methodology or control measure.

Protocols and standards

TNO has developed protocols for undertaking exposure research (validation measurements, etc.), whereby the preconditions for collecting metrology data that comply with a specific quality are leading. A key aspect of this is to establish a good metrology strategy drafted by TNO on the basis of state-of-the-art work hygiene expertise. We also apply our knowledge to the development of asbestos-related standards, and thus contribute to standardisation and quality assurance within the industry.

Exposure modelling

Apart from measuring exposure, TNO is (inter)nationally renowned as a specialist in exposure modelling through which knowledge on exposure levels and exposure factors is collected and applied, and use made of well executed and documented measurements. Modelling exposure enables exposure levels to be estimated and, as a consequence, the risks in circumstances that have not (yet) been measured or in retrospective studies or in circumstances that could arise in the future. Modelling also enables the comparison of different (management) scenarios. Knowledge about exposure factors can be used to develop an effective manner of intervention where the aim is to reduce exposure or to train people who work with asbestos.

Asbestos in the atmosphere

In addition to measuring exposure to asbestos fibres among employees, TNO can also help design and perform asbestos measurements in the atmosphere to determine the exposure and/or dispersal of asbestos fibres in the environment either by way of routine measurements to determine the background concentration during work or to gain a picture of the situation following incidents or disruptions. For this purpose TNO has state-of-the-art high-resolution electron microscopes at its disposal and has developed specific metrology and analysis protocols to be able to detect low concentrations of asbestos fibres.

If you wish to find out more about exposure assessment and management of asbestos fibres and the collaboration possibilities, please contact us.