Why is surfactant added to water in asbestos handling?

Surfactant is added to water in asbestos handling primarily to enhance the water's ability to penetrate the materials containing asbestos. This is crucial because it helps ensure that the water effectively coats the asbestos fibers, which in turn keeps them down and minimizes the risk of airborne exposure during handling or removal processes. By reducing the surface tension of the water, surfactants allow it to spread more evenly and saturate the material, ensuring that the fibers are sufficiently wetted. This not only aids in effective asbestos management but also contributes to safety by reducing the chance of inhalation of airborne fibers.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary role of surfactants in this context. While temperature, pH alteration, and evaporation prevention may have their own merits in different scenarios, they do not pertain to the specific function of surfactant in the handling and control of asbestos fibers. This understanding is vital for anyone involved in asbestos management and is a key aspect of ensuring safe practices during asbestos removal or remediation operations.