Assessment of Airborne Asbestos Fibers Concentration in Yazd City in Summer 2015

Introduction: Today, have been approved scientifically relationship between presence of asbestos fibers in the human respiratory area and malignant diseases such as lung advanced fibrosis (Asbestosis), gastrointestinal, lung and Laryngeal cancers. The aim of this study was the determination of asbestos fibers concentration in Yazd city’s air in the summer of 2015. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study in which 13 high-traffic points of Yazd city were selected for asbestos sampling. Sampling was conducted in the summer in two stages using SKC pump. In total were collected 26 samples from the high traffic points of Yazd city. Also for the counting of asbestos fibers was used scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: In the current research, the highest and the lowest concentration of asbestos fibers were related to Shohadayemehrab square (0.02131fiber/ml) and Azadshahr (0.00112 fiber/ml) respectively. Qualitative analysis of asbestos fibers by SEM showed that 75% of the samples were asbestos fibers and the other was non-asbestos fibers. Conclusion: The present study showed that the average of asbestos fibers concentration in total sampling stations (0.00848 fiber/ml) was higher than WHO guidelines (2.2 × 10-3 fiber/ml). The main reason for the presence of these fibers in the air of Yazd city can be attributed to brake pad, clutch and automobile gasket adhesive.