Asbestos Directive

BS ISO 10312 Asbestos Direct-transfer transmission Electron microscopy... 

Peterson MW, Walter ME, Gross TJ. 1993. Asbestos directly increases lung epithelial permeability. Am J Physiol 265(3 Pt 1) L308-L317. 

As aheady mentioned above, in the meantime, because of the newly structured chemical legislation by the EU, the framework directive 80/1107/EEC is no longer in force. It was repealed by the EU chemical agents directive 98/24/EC in May 2001 [6-5]. Nevertheless, this does not mean that its minimum standards and requirements have been given up or lost, but instead they have been included in the second framework directive 89/391/EEC on occupational safety, in the just mentioned directive 98/24/EC, and in a few others. Several individual directives of 80/ 1107/EEC are still in force, for example the asbestos directive or directive 91/ 422/EEC ( 1st priority list of hmit values ). 

This is the second individual directive under the framework directive 80/1107/ EEC, and was adopted in 1983 [6-7]. It refers to the protection of workers from the risks related to asbestos at work. Asbestos has been Hsted in annex I of 80/1107/ EEC. The latest amendment of this asbestos directive was adopted by EU directive 2003/18/EC [6-lOj. In the following, the changes of the last amendment will be considered. 

Note The OEL has been significantly lowered by the newly revised asbestos directive 2003/18/EC [6-10]. The different values for croddoHte and other types of asbestos, existing in the original directive of 1983, have been cancelled in the light of new scientific data showing that these are no longer justified. 

Note According to article 13 of the chemical agents directive 98/24/EC, issued in 1998 and coming nationally into force in May 2001 at the latest, the asbestos directive will no longer refer to the 1st framework directive 80/1107/EEC, but to the newer 2nd framework directive 89/391/EEC, which is of importance in regard to future amendments. 

Environmental concern over the use of asbestos has increased in recent years. France, Saudi Arabia, and Norway have banned the use of asbestos as a separator in chlorine cells. These nations allowed local chlorine producers several years to install non-asbestos replacement separators in existing diaphragm cells or to replace the cells themselves with membrane cells. Under an amendment to the draft Asbestos Directive adopted by the EU Commission 4 May 1999, continued use of chrysotile asbestos will be allowed in existing diaphragm chlor-alkali plants. This exemption to the general EU ban on marketing and use of chrysotile asbestos will last until the end of a chlorine production unit s lifetime, or until suitable substitute materials for diaphragms are available. 

Place in the flask 2 g. of benzophenone, 15 ml. of isopropanol and 2 5 g. of aluminium isopropoxide. This mixture has now to be heated gently under reflux so that the temperature registered by the thermometer in the column does not exceed 80°, i.e., so that only acetone distils. For this purpose, the flask should preferably be heated in an oil-bath direct heating, even over an asbestos sheet, may cause local overheating and decomposition the use of a water-bath on the other hand may make the column undesirably damp. 

The following alternative procedure is recommended and it possesses the advantage that the same tube may be used for many sodium fusions. Support a Pyrex test tube (150 X 12 mm.) vertically in a clamp lined with asbestos cloth or with sheet cork. Place a cube (ca. 4 mm. side = 0 04 g.) of freshly cut sodium in the tube and heat the latter imtil the sodium vapour rises 4 5 cm. in the test-tube. Drop a small amount (about 0-05 g.) of the substance, preferably portionwise, directly into the sodium vapour CAUTION there may be a slight explosion) then heat the tube to redness for about 1 minute. Allow the test tube to cool, add 3-4 ml. of methyl alcohol to decompose any unreacted sodium, then halffill the tube with distilled water and boil gently for a few minutes. Filter and use the clear, colourless filtrate for the various tests detailed below. Keep the test-tube for sodium fusions it will usually become discoloured and should be cleaned from time to time with a little scouring powder. 

The contrast for specimen detail in the field of view is gready enhanced by darkfield illumination (10). The degree of contrast and sensitivity of detection of smaH-object details depend on the relative indices of the specimen and the mounting Hquid and on the intensity of the illumination. Darkfield illumination is not, however, a satisfactory solution for biologists who need direct transmitted light in order to observe specimens, especially stained specimens. It is, however, very usefiil in detecting asbestos fibrils that often exist in door tiles or water and air samples as 20-nm fibers (10 times finer than the resolution of an asbestos analyst s usual microscope) (11). Darkfield illumination yields an uimatural appearance and difficulties in interpretation hence, a need for better contrast methods stiU exists. 

EEC Directive on the protection of workers from exposure to asbestos at work... 

EEC Directive on limits for certain dangerous substances included m 76/464/EEC 87/217/EEC Directive on pollution by asbestos... 

Total frequencies of environmental illness are difficult to measure. When causes can be identified, however, scientists observe that frequencies of occurrence of a particular illness vary directly with the severity and extent of exposure. Particularly frequent in the workplace are skin lesions from many different causes and pulmonary diseases related to the inhalation of various dusts, such as coal dust (black lung), cotton dust (brown lung), asbestos fibers (asbestosis), and silica dust (silicosis). Environmental agents can also cause biological effects without overt clinical illness (for example, chromosome damage from irradiation). 

Applicability Most hazardous waste slurried in water can be mixed directly with cement, and the suspended solids will be incorporated into the rigid matrices of the hardened concrete. This process is especially effective for waste with high levels of toxic metals since at the pH of the cement mixture, most multivalent cations are converted into insoluble hydroxides or carbonates. Metal ions also may be incorporated into the crystalline structure of the cement minerals that form. Materials in the waste (such as sulfides, asbestos, latex and solid plastic wastes) may actually increase the strength and stability of the waste concrete. It is also effective for high-volume, low-toxic, radioactive wastes. 

Pads of a mixture of paper pulp and asbestos fiber are used in bacteriological filtrations. In sheet form it is employed in the laboratory for all kinds of filtration. Filter papers are made in many grades of porosity for use in porcelain and glass funnels. Industrially, paper in the form of sheets is used directly or as a precoat in filter presses. 

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