Survey of Airborne Asbestos Concentrations in High Traffic Areas of Tabriz

Asbestos fibers are used extensively in various industries including brake and clutch linings and airborne asbestos emission in urban environments can induce serious effects on human health، including pulmonary fibrosis and mesothelioma. The aim of this study was to access asbestos fibers emission in high traffic area of Tabriz city.

In this study، that was down 2012 (between ……. a ……) the concentration of asbestos fibers was measured at 12 high traffic areas of Tabriz city. The air samples were collected on membrane filters using integrated environmental sampling method for identification of asbestos fibers phase-contrast optical microscope was used to count the fibers with a length to width ratio greater than three.

The average concentration of asbestos fibers in high traffic areas (0/001 ± 0/0003 fiber /ml of air) was far more than the standard limits (0/00005 fiber/ ml of air). Also، the results of this study showed that the highest concentration of asbestos fibers was found in downtown area of Baghshmal square (0/0004 ± 0/0012 fiber/ml of air) and the lowest concentration was found in Shariati square (0/00056 ± 0/00012 fiber/ml of air).

This study showed that emissions of asbestos fibers from urban sources like such as vehicle brakes is so high that could create، increased respiratory complications and obligates us for more preventive measures.