CC-6 paper

CC-6 is a mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filter membrane historically used to collect airborne fibers for asbestos analysis by phase contrast microscopy (PCM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Air is drawn through the filter, trapping fibers on its surface; the filter is then prepared and counted in the laboratory. The "CC-6" designation refers to a specific membrane grade with a defined pore size suited to fiber counting.

Origin

Mixed cellulose ester membrane filters were developed in the mid-20th century for industrial hygiene sampling, and the CC-6 grade became one of several standardized media used in asbestos air monitoring protocols beginning in the 1960s and 1970s, including methods later codified by NIOSH (Method 7400) and OSHA.

Significance in Asbestos Context

For a patient or family trying to reconstruct exposure history, CC-6 paper is the physical record of what was in the air at a workplace, school, or jobsite. Industrial hygiene reports, OSHA inspections, and abatement clearance testing often reference MCE filters like CC-6, and the underlying filters or their lab counts may still exist in employer files, union records, or government archives. These air sample results can corroborate that asbestos fibers were present at specific times and locations relevant to the patient's exposure.

Example Sentence

The industrial hygienist's 1978 report showed fiber counts from CC-6 filter samples collected near the boiler room where the plaintiff worked as a pipefitter.

Related Terms

Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), NIOSH Method 7400, Industrial Hygiene Sampling, Fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc), Air Monitoring

Notes

• Ask your legal team to subpoena historical industrial hygiene records, OSHA inspection files, and union safety records. Air sample results on MCE filters are often the strongest evidence of workplace fiber levels.
• If you worked in a regulated trade (insulation, shipyard, construction, school maintenance), request copies of any personal or area air monitoring results that named you or your work area.
• Note that PCM counts on CC-6 filters count all fibers meeting size criteria, not just asbestos; TEM analysis is needed to confirm fiber type and is more probative in litigation.