What is the stated purpose of aggressive air sampling in asbestos work?

• A. To reduce surface dust by cleaning
• B. To collect data on humidity levels
• C. To make residual fibers on surfaces airborne, simulating building occupancy and activity
• D. To measure color of fibers

Answer: (C)

Aggressive air sampling is used to recreate a worst‑case scenario by purposely disturbing asbestos-containing materials so residual fibers on surfaces become airborne. This approach helps us see how much asbestos could be released into the air if people occupy the space or if normal activities occur, giving an estimate of potential inhalation exposure under realistic disturbance conditions. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures, containment, and cleanup, and to confirm that air concentrations are within acceptable limits. It’s not about cleaning surface dust, measuring humidity, or assessing fiber color, which don’t reflect the exposure risk during occupancy or activity.