Document JND3Jgo6ekx67xDgrn64M89OX
FILE NAME: RT Vanderbilt (RTV)
DATE: 2000 Nov 22
DOC#: RTV 104
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter from Consultant to RTV RE Analysis of Samples of Talc
RJ LeeGroup, Inc..
350 Hochberg Rose) Monroeville. P.A 15M6
Tel: v24i 325-1776 Fax: ,724> 733-' 735
The Materials Characterization Specialists
November 22, 2000
Mr. John W. Kelse R. T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc. 30 Winfield Street Norwalk, CT 06856-5150
RE; PLM Evaluation of Talc Samples RJ Lee Group Job No.: LSH006444
Dear Mr. Kelse:
-
RJ Lee Group has completed, the analysis of several samples of talc. The procedure used for these analyses is based on a procedure developed by Dr. Ann Wylie. Basically, a known mass of sample is placed on a clean glass slide to which is added several drops of 1.598 refractive index oil. Twenty percent of the slide is examined in a polarizing light microscope; the dimensions of every particle with an aspect ratio of at least 3:1 (length to width) are recorded. The minerals were identified as talc, tremolite, anthophyllite, or "transitional" according to the following system:
Mineral
a, Rl
y, Rl
Talc Transitional Amphibole
< 1.598 <1.598 >1.598
<1.598 > 1.598 > 1.598
In addition, the particles were classified as Tiber" or "cleavage" using a consensus definition. Particles classified as "fiber" are asbestiform and show evidence of high aspect ratio, bundles, splayed ends, and curvature. Splayed ends are generally indicative of bundles of asbestiform fibers. There were several high aspect ratio transitional particles which did not meet the consensus definition of asbestiform (generally not displaying evidence of curvature or splayed ends).
Seven samples were submitted for analysis (NYTAL 100, NYTAL 200, NYTAL 300, NYTAL 400. NYTAL 3300, NYTAL 7700, and IT-3X). This preliminary report discusses the data generated on the NYTAL 100 and NYTAL 300 samples, with partial analyses of the other samples. Analyses of the remaining samples are progressing and will be reported as they become available.
Monroeville. PA San Leandro, Ba Washington, DC Richland, WA WES000550
Table 1 shows the concentration of the particles with aspect ratios of at least 3:1. The table shows two measures of concentrations, partic!es/mg of sample and weight percent. In the samples, the particle type with the largest concenlration is tremolite. Very few anthophyllite particles were observed in any sample.
Table 2 shows the concentration of all asbestiform fibers observed in these samples. In the samples, only talc fibers were observed to be asbestiform; all other particles are cleavage fragments. Very few asbestiform fibers were observed with an aspect ratios less than 5:1.
Figure 1 compares the average lengths for the principal mineral components of the Nytal products. Figures 2 and 3 show the average width and aspect ratios for the sample products. Figure 4 shows the particle number concentration and particle weight percent for each analyzed product.
RJ Lee Group, Inc. is accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), New York Department of Health Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP), and by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AlHA). This report relates only to the items tested and shall not be reproduced except in full. NVLAP accreditation does not imply endorsement by NVLAP or any agency of the US government. These results are submitted pursuant to RJ Lee Group's current terms and conditions of sale, Including the company's standard warranty and limitation of liability provisions. No responsibility or liability is assumed for the manner in which the results are used or interpreted. Unless notified In writing to return the samples covered in this report, RJ Lee Group will store the samples for a period of 30 days before discarding. A shipping and handling fee will be assessed for the return of any samples.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.
Sincerely,
Drew R. Van Orden, PE
Senior Scientist
Page 2 of 8
WES000551
Table 1. Concentration of All Mineral Particles W ith An Aspect Ratio of At Least 3:1
Product Nyial 100
Nyial 300
particle/mq
Slide Mineral 3:1 -5:1 >5:1
> 3:1
1 Trem olite
353
Anlhophyllite
Transitional
18
Talc
16
839
1,193
12
12
265
281
189
205
2 Tremolile
289
Anthophyiilte
Transitional
Talc
15
1.042 6 66
114
1.331 6 66
129
3 TremolitB
375
Anthophyllite
Transitional
6
Talc
2
1,288 4 101
230
1.663 4 107
233
1 Tremolite
843
Anlhophyllite
Transitional
12
Talc
3.638 12 341
1,056
4,481 12 353
1,056
2 Tremolite
18
Anthophyllite
Transitional
Tate
3,395
3.412
272
272
727
727
3 Tremolite
361
Anthophyllite
Transitional
8
Talc
16
3.453 4
2$1 1,044
3.814 4 269
1,060
Particle Wt. %
3:1 -5:1 >5:1
3:1
4.39
2,02
<0.01
0.19
3.09
0.21
0.31
6.41 <0.01
3.28 0.52
4.09
2.69
6.77
0.01
0.01
0.37
0.37
0.03
0-08
0.11
6.78
0.06 <0.01
3.58 <0.01
1.03 0.14
10.35 <0.01
1.09 0.15
1.04
1.29
2.33
0-01
0.01
0.07
0.57
0.64
0.37
0.37
<0.01
0.63
0.64
0.31 0.08
0.44
1.24
<0.01
0.01
0.35
0.03
0.17
0.31 0.08
1.68 <0.01
0.36 0.20
Page 3 of 8
WES000552
Table 1. Concentration of All Mineral Particles With An Aspect Ratio of At Least 3:1 (continued)
particle/mq
Product Slide Mineral 3:1 -5:1 >5:1
>3:1
Nytal 3300 1 Tremolite
337
Anlhophyllite
Transitional
18
Talc
4,376 18 285
1,318
4.713 18 302
1,318
Nytal 7700 1 Tremolite
123
Anthophvilite
Transitional
Talc '
5
4,486 11 277
2,050
4,609 11 277
2,050
Nytal 200
1 Tremolite
166
Anthophvilite
Transitional
13
Talc
26
1.748
145 950
1,914
158 977
Nytal IT-3X 1 Tremolite
206
Anthophvilite
4
Transitional
110
Talc
35
1.310 101 1.117 4.844
1,516 105 1,226 4,880
Particle Wt. %
3:1 -5:1 >5:1
>3:1
0.28
0.89
1.17
0.01
0.01
0.24
0.55
0.79
0.35
0.35
0.04 <0.01
0.27 <0-01
0.33 0.15
0.31 <0.01
0.33 0.15
0.49
1.80
2.30
0.08
0.72
0.79
0.11
0.63
0.74
1.20
1.52
2.73
0.06
0.02
0.09
0.84
3.45
4.29
0.48
2.20
2.68
Page 4 of 8
t WES000553
Table 2. Concentration of All Asbestiform Mineral Fibers With An Aspect Ratio of At Least 3:1
Product Slide Mineral
Nytal 100
1 Tale 2 Tale 3 Tale
Nytal 300
1 Tale 2 Tale . 3 Tale
Nytal 3300 1 Tale
Nvtal 7700 1 Tale
Nytal 200
1 Tale
Nytal IT-3X 1 Tale
Fiber/mg
3:1 - 5:1 >5:1
104 60 128
707 477 079
1,099
1,895
4
381
13
2,961
3:1 104 60 128 707 477 879 1,099 1,895
385 2,974
Fiber Wt, %
3:1 5:1 >5:1
>3:1
0.02
0.02
0.05
0.05
0.06
0.06
0.29
0.29
0.05
0.05
0.11
0.11
0.32
0.32
0.13
0.13
<0.01
0.30
0.31
0.02
1.76
1.78
Page 5 of 8
WES000554
InlefprQV* lf\
-- Tal o
Figure 1. Comparison of particle length (pm) for Nytal products; all particles >3:1.
Figure 2. Comparison of particle width (pm) for Nytal products; all particles 3:1.
Page 6 of 8
WES000555
60
iniAtgrow ih
Talc
Tiemolile
NyteMOO
NyialJOO
NylaOOO N y ta lttO O N ytal77 00 NytaMT*3*
Figure 3. Comparison of Aspect Ratio for all particles Z 3:1 for Nytal products.
Page 7 of 8
WES000556
WES000557
14
12 sa
10
a
U
<*> a 8
o Cre
CL
5 S
a
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
Particles > 3rl/mg
6000
7000
HNYTAL 100 N Y T A l 200 NYTAL 300 NYTAL 3300 .NYTAL 7700 NYTAL IT-3X
: 8000
3000
Figure 4. Comparison of particle number concentration and particle weight percent for NYTAL products.
Page 8 of 8