Which wetting agent is recommended by the EPA for asbestos work?

The choice of a wetting agent for asbestos work is crucial for ensuring safe handling and minimizing airborne asbestos fibers during demolition or remediation activities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using a combination of polyoxyethylene ether and polyoxyethylene ester as an effective wetting agent. This mixture is specifically designed to reduce the surface tension of water, allowing it to penetrate and adhere to asbestos materials more effectively.

The use of this wetting agent ensures that asbestos fibers are more effectively saturated, which reduces the likelihood of fibers becoming airborne during handling or disturbance. This is especially important in asbestos abatement activities, where controlling the release of harmful fibers is essential for the safety of workers and the public.

While other options may provide some level of moisture, they lack the specialized formulation that enhances efficacy in containing and suppressing asbestos dust, making option B the most suitable choice for ensuring safety in asbestos-related work environments.