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  Minimization of asbestos fiber dispersion from the tunnel muck using soil

  Within the context of “Radimero” TBM tunnels for "Terzo Valico dei Giovi" project, the high-speed rail between Genoa and Milan, geological formations containing Naturally Occurring Asbestos can be crossed. In these conditions, the limitation of dispersion of dust and, consequently, of fibres becomes very important for the TBM excavation process, especially during the transport of the excavated ground. Since when the ground is extracted by the screw conveyor, it must be of interest to protect the workers from the possible release of asbestos fibres from the material. Following this objective, the UTT division of MAPEI, together with a research group of DIATI department of the Polytechnic of Turin, has experimented two different conditioning agents that can be used to cover the ground during the transport phases minimizing dust and fibres release: a foaming agent and a powder polymer, both rapidly biodegradable and with very low toxicity. The evaluation of these products was possible with a laboratory test that reliably re-reproduced the stresses that the material undergoes during transport (exposure to air and vibration). The subsequent analysis of air-dispersed samples, acquired in different phases, led to the creation of a "dust index" that quantitatively assessed the effectiveness of the tested products.

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