Table 1

Description of the exposure parameters used to assess asbestos exposure at job level

Asbestos exposure parametersDefinitionNumerical values*
Probability of exposureDegree of confidence that exposure really occurred, expressed in percent (%)
 Not exposed00
 Possible>0–500.5
 Definite>50–1001
Frequency of exposureExpressed in percent of work time (%)
 Sporadic>0–50.025
 Occasional>5–300.25
 Frequent or continuous>30–1000.75
Intensity of exposureExpressed in f/mL
 Low>0–0.10.1
 Medium>0.1–11
 High>1–1010
 Very high>10100
  • *Numerical values assigned to each category in order to calculate cumulative exposure index.