Does the EPA recommend air sampling for settled dust?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend air sampling specifically for settled dust; instead, they advocate for sampling the dust itself. This approach is more effective because settled dust can contain higher concentrations of contaminants that may not be detected accurately through air sampling. Air sampling for asbestos fibers may not capture the entire extent of the contamination present in settled dust, as those fibers can settle over time and may not be disturbed or present in the air column during the sampling process.

By analyzing the dust itself, investigators can obtain a more reliable measure of the asbestos present in a given environment, which is crucial for assessing risk and determining necessary remediation actions. Analyzing the dust allows for a more direct assessment of exposure risks to inhabitants or workers in the area.