ABSTRACT
The value of a standard method is that it de“nes procedures in such a way that different laboratories working independently will achieve similar results when using the same method. There are more than 30 different “standard” methods available for the analysis of asbestos in a variety of media. The methods include those for determining the amount of asbestos in air, water, bulk building materials, surface dust, carpet, soil, and speci“c product materials such as vermiculite and talc. Some methods, although in draft or interim forms, have become generally recognized and used as standard methods by the analytical community. Governmental agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
CONTENTS
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................23 2.2 Sample Collection ...................................................................................................................24 2.3 Polarized Light Microscopy ...................................................................................................24 2.4 Bulk Asbestos Methods ..........................................................................................................25 2.5 PCM: Air Analysis .................................................................................................................28 2.6 Transmission Electron Microscopy ........................................................................................29 2.7 Scanning Electron Microscopy ..............................................................................................34 2.8 TEM Beyond AHERA ........................................................................................................... 35 2.9 Water Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 37 2.10 Surface Dust Analysis ............................................................................................................ 37 2.11 Soil Analysis ........................................................................................................................... 38 2.12 Vermiculite Analysis ..............................................................................................................40 2.13 Methods for Asbestos Analysis in Other Media .....................................................................40 2.14 Asbestos De“nitions and Terminology...................................................................................40 2.15 PCM Equivalency ................................................................................................................... 41 2.16 Cleavage Fragments ................................................................................................................ 41 2.17 Amphiboles ............................................................................................................................. 42 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................44 References ........................................................................................................................................44
