Ambient air concentration of asbestos fibres, dust content and mortality: the case of Asbestos, Quebec.

Abstract

Ambient air concentrations of asbestos fibres were measured during the period 20 June to 12 August, 1980 at three locations; Danville, Asbestos and Wottenville in the eastern townships of Quebec. Measurements were made with low-volume samplers and measurement periods ranged from 3 to 13 days. Fibre counts were made by means of electron microscopy. Our results indicate that overall fibre concentrations are related to atmospheric stability and to the direction of the prevailing wind with respect to the source of emission. Fibre concentrations are then related to total dust content of the ambient air for the town of Asbestos. Spatial variations of mortality are in turn related to the variations in the concentration of ambient air dust particles.