Optical and electron microscopy can be used to determine asbestos in ambient air
Because it resists acids, is noncombustible, and can be woven into fabrics, asbestos was commonly used as fire-proofing and insulation in many buildings built before the mid-1970s as well as in brake linings, heat-proof gloves, and other commercial products. Concern about adverse effects on health from exposure to asbestos originally centered on miners, insulation workers, and others who were exposed to large amounts of asbestos in their jobs. But recent studies indicate that even low levels of airborne asbestos may cause cancer, and concern has mounted over the effects on the general public of exposure to asbestos in the environment. Because most of the methods that were developed for the analysis of bulk asbestos samples are not appropriate for the analysis of air samples, new methods capable of detecting small amounts of asbestos in ambient air have been developed. These new methods are described.
- OSTI ID:
- 6748795
- Journal Information:
- Anal. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 60:6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ASBESTOS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
OPTICAL MICROSCOPY
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AIR SAMPLERS
RESOLUTION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TRACE AMOUNTS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
GASES
MICROSCOPY
SAMPLERS
400102* - Chemical & Spectral Procedures
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)