Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor Practice Exam

What is the purpose of air monitoring for asbestos?

1. To assess structural integrity post-abatement

2. To quantify amounts of airborne asbestos created during abatement

3. To confirm compliance with local regulations

4. To determine long-term asbestos exposure in workers

The correct answer is: To quantify amounts of airborne asbestos created during abatement

Air monitoring for asbestos is crucial in quantifying the amounts of airborne asbestos created during abatement activities. This process involves sampling the air in and around the abatement site to measure the concentration of asbestos fibers. Monitoring helps ensure that any release of asbestos into the environment is detected and quantified, which is essential for assessing the effectiveness of the control measures implemented during the removal or remediation process. This type of monitoring is fundamental during and immediately following abatement activities to confirm that the area has been properly contained and that the risk of exposure to airborne asbestos has been mitigated. By quantifying the airborne asbestos, supervisors can take necessary actions if levels exceed permissible limits, ensuring the safety of workers and the surrounding community. While assessing structural integrity post-abatement, confirming compliance with regulations, and determining long-term worker exposure are all important in the context of asbestos management, they serve different purposes. They do not focus specifically on the direct quantification of airborne asbestos during the abatement process, which is central to the function of air monitoring.