Document 8zJGD1j7Eye5dmXGL680K0Dy

Improved Techniques of Identification and Determination of Airborne Asbestos LESLIE BARTOSIEWICZ Ford Motor Company, Scientific Research Staff, Dearborn, Michigan 48121 Colltction, IdtnttflcatioD and data analyzing techniques are presented! for airfcom mineral fibers. The limitations of the techniques are discussed. It is shown that the adaption of a plenum Hi Inches long for sample collection is important, since It leads to a much more uniform particle, collection and distribution. Separation of the asbestos particles from other solid airhorn pollutants with the refractive Index, liquid method Is shown to be accurate, convenient and useful in distinguishing asbestos from other fibrous material. For analysis of this type the Image analyzing micro* scope Is a veiy valuable tool. Introduction he need to evaluate the THAZARDS from asbestos inhalation was recognised as early as 1906 but it was more than twenty years before a detailed description of asbestosis was developed. Since then, it has been documented by nu merous studies that inhalation of high con centrations of asbestos or any prolonged exposure to moderate asbestos dust level can in many instances lead to the development of asbestos connected diseases of the lung.1 In general, the available data and infor mation are only pertinent to the high con centrations caused by occupational exposure, and not to the low asbestos fiber conteat found as background in air. The health problem as posed by the biologically active asbestos fibers has led to the establishment of occupational safety standards.- But, little has been done to develop reliable sample collection, data generation, and identifica tion techniques. This paper deals with these three aspects of analyzing for airborne as bestos pahiclgs. Sampling Sample collection is the most important -step in any-analysis for air pollution-There-- fore, one must be sure that the collection mmms $5! : at '.* ST*;*i .vii'l'/- ;:irhwv?i e'.. d U>\*' Figure I. Non-uniform parti le distribution: of asbestos fibers and dust, collect with an openface filter holder and xiewed at isOOX, phase con trast. (Samplo A). 252 SCF-FA-6740 8000 0331 HFM - 002035 g&jSfc."