Document Ra9KnwbaeNoaXw8qp0yK7y4da
FILE NAME: RT Vanderbilt (RTV) DATE: 1992 Feb 5 DOC#: RTV 117 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Asbestos Analysis Report from RJ Lee Group, Inc.
RJ Lee Group, Inc .____________
350 H ochberg Road M onroeville, PA 15146 412/325-1776
A sbestos A nalysis R eport
FA* 412/733-1799
Project No. AOH110601 February 5,1992
On October 7, 1991,24 air samples were received from Mr. John Kelse of the R. T.
Vanderbilt Company, Inc. It was requested that these air samples be analyzed for asbestos content through the application of mineralogically correct criteria specific to asbestos and to compare this analysis with the nonspecific N)OSH 7400 method for fiber counting.
In following the NIOSH 7400 method, a portion of the filter (1/4 circumference wedge)
was removed and mounted on a glass slide using acetone vapor and rriacetin. The preparation was then covered with a No. 1-1/2 glass coverslip and allowed to sit until the filter wedge became transparent. The method requires that 100 fields be counted, or at least a minimum of 20 fields, depending upon fiber concentration. All fibers or fiberlike panicles measuring 5 micrometers (pm) in length and having a length-to-wjdih aspect ratio equal to or greater than 3:1 were counted. This count considers particles typically referred to as "federal fibers" and does not distinguish asbestos fibers from elongated nonasbestos panicles. These results arc presented in Tabie 1.
During the fiber count, the panicles counted were "defined" based on the guidelines set
forth in the testimony presented before OSHA by Dr. R. J. Lee, March 9, 1990. Dr. Lee
proposed that PCM be used as a screening technique to overcome the imrinsic limitations of
the current PCM method (i.e., nonspecificity). The advantage of the proposed method is
that it retains and builds on historical federal fiber data (fibers >5 pm length, 3:1 aspect
ratio) which has been developed under the P&CAM 239 and NlOSH 7400 methods.
Basically, the proposed method categorizes federal fibers by width. If the 1 pm diameter
plus bundles >1 pm in width federal fiber count is statistically below the permissible limit,
the analysis is terminated; otherwise additional analysis can be performed by scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the
portion of the count that is asbesms. A copy of this approach with supporting data is
enclosed.
.
Table II gives the fiber diameter breakdown for each sample. The column identities are shown on page 2 of Table II, Columns B and E were identified as possibly asbestos based on the morphological characteristics of asbestos. The fibers in column C were considered "fibrous" (long and thin), but not asbesriform, and those in column D were clearly cleavage fragments. Table III presents a comparison of the PCM counts as determined by the NlOSH 7400 method and the proposed method. The NIOSH 7400 method column is the calculation of all the fibers counted during the PCM analysis. The proposed method column is the calculation using only those fibers SI pm in diameter and fiber bundles >1 pm in diameter (columns B, C, and E of Table II).
In following this protocol, SEM analysis should have been the next method of analysis, due to the concentration of fibers in columns B, C and E of Table 11. SEM, though, has not been a good analytical tool jn differentiating between fibrous talc, anihophyllue, and taJc-anihophyllite inteTgrowth because of the confusion that stems from similarity of their elemental chemistries (i.e., similar silicon to magnesium ratio). Therefore, in an attempt to identify the various species on the filters, we undertook the polarizing light microscopy (PLM) analysis using the following approach.
Monroeville, PA Berkeley. CA Washington. D.C, Raleigh, NC Houston. TX Chopra-Lee, Inc.. Grand Island. NY
WES000350
Page 2
Each slide which bad been prepared for PCM was scanned by PLM at approximately 200X magnification, during which time 100 fibers were counted and characterization attempted However, severe limitations were placed on the analysis by using &medium much lower than one would use in identifying the particles by normal PLM. The PCM preparation has
a refractive index of 1,46; and to the best o f his ability, our analyst categorized the fibers he
counted ns talc, anthopbyUite, trem olite, and miscellaneous. The miscellaneous particles included all 5 p n , 3;1 particles that did not fit into any o f the previous categories, and the majority o f these were cellulose, glass, and quartz. Unfortunately, we did not feel confident with the results of tins analysis, and those results are not included in this report. However, the analysis did give us information on the morphology of the fibers. It was felt that by starting "fresh" with a sample that could be analyzed by PLM using the proper refractive index liquid, an accurate identification of the mineral species present could be made. The final step performed in this analysis was correlating the data accumulated from the fiber count by PCM and that obtained by the PLM morphological interpretation. Based on the PLM observation, we identified the fibers in columns B and E o f Table II as talc fibers and talc fiber bundles. The "federal fibers" in column C were elongated (betw een 0.5 and 1.0 pm in widih) but not asbestiform and were identified as anthophyllite. The fibers In column D were cleavage fragments and included a portion of the anthophyllite and all of the tremolite.
Results ' Based upon this analysis, none of the "federal fibers1' observed should be considered
Asbestos. Although the particle lire distribution and mineral mix varies somewhat from that observed in previously examined R. T. Vanderbilt tttnnolitic talc, the cleavage fragment and talc fiber observations are consistent with prior observations relative to the absence of chrysotile and amphibole asbestos. Differences from prior analysis may, in part, be attributable to a mixed dust environment (l.e,, not a pure talc sample) and to some methodological differences in sample handling dictated by sample loading.
WES000351
Sample Number 0402365BHPC W02366BHPC 0402367BHPC 0402368BHPC 0402369BHPC O4O2370BKPC 0402371BHPC 0402372BHPC 0402373BHPC 0402374BKPC 04Q2375BHPC 0402376BHPC 0402377BHPC 0402378BKPC 0402379BHPC 0402380BHPC 0402381BHPC 0402382BHPC
T allii-1
Total Fiber Concentrations PCM Air Analysis
Project
AOH110601
Client Sample Number 1491-F 1478-F 1485-F 1479-F 1383-F 1393-F 1475-F 1487-F 1481-F 1490-F I462-F 1456-F 1457-F 1398-F 1452-F 1348-F 1381-F 1378-F
Analyzed Area (sq. mm) 0.6123 05495 0.6123 0.5495 0.4239 0.4318 0.785 0.4632 0.4632 0.785 0.2905 0.4318 0314 0.785 0.4475 0.4239 0.4946 0.5495
Volume (Liters) 24.48 2M2 32.13 15.3 38.25 39.78 Blank 19.89 2951 26.82 14.9 35.76 14.9 o
165.39 2755 2755 17.4
Fibers 100
1005 1005
100 1005
103 1
1025 102 21
1005 100 101 o 102 100
1005 1015
Fields 78 70 78 70 54 55 100 59 59 100 37 55 40 100 57 54 63 70
Concentration (fibers/sq. rntn)
163.3186 182.8935 164.1352 181.9836 237.0842 2385640
1.2739* 221.3106 220.2310 26.7516 346.0148 231.6155 321.6561 <7.0064* 227.9584 235J9W7 203.2150 184.7134
Concentration} (fibetsfcc) 25685 3.2873 1.9668 45793 2.3863 2.3089 4.2838 2.8732 0.3840 8.9407 2.4936 8.3112 0.5306 3.2967 2.8398 4.0870
90% Confidence Limit}
Lower
Upper
1.6237
3.5133
2.0787
4.4959
1.2437
2.6898
2.8949
6.2638
15090
352637
1.4621
3.1557
2.7119
5.8557
1.8184
3.9280
0.1970
05710
5.6536
12.2277
15764
3.4109
5.2571
11.3654
0.3358 2.0840
0.7255 4.5093
1.7958
18839
2.5859
55882
Lim it of Q uantification}
0.1102 0.1259 0.0840 0.1763 0.0705 0.0678
1 0.1356 0.0914 0.1006 0.1810 0.0754 0.1810
0.0163 0.0979 0.0979 0.1550
WES000352
} Analytical results based upon the volumes provided by R.T. Vanderbilt Company, Sample is a Blank, or no volume was supplied. Calculation could not be done.
* Results Below Analytical Sensitivity
Prepared, Counted, and Calculated in accordance with NIOSH7400
R J Lee Group, Inc. Headquarters
Authorized Signature. Date
350 Hochberg Road Monroeville, PA 15146
Page: 1 of 2
& x 2 ________
Tuesday, Febniar/^j^gjf
Phone "(412)325-1776
Fax
(412)733-1799
Sample Number 0402383BHPC 0402384BHPC 0402385BHPC 0402386BHPC 0402387BHPC CM02388BHPC 0402389BHPC 0402390BHPC 040239IBHPC 0402392BHPC
TaL.e I
Total Fiber Concentrations
PCM Air Analysis
Project
AOH110601
Client Sample Number 1377-F 1375-F 1344-F 1386-F 1384-F 1387-F 1389-F 1394-F 1396-F 1372-F
Analyzed Area (sq. mm) 0.5888 0.4632 0.785 05338 0.6673 0.4161 0.369 0,4004 0.2277 0.785
Volume (Liters) 14.5 18.85 Blank 24.65 13.05 23.2 23.2 20.3 8.7 Blank
Fibers 101.5
101 0
102.5 102 101 100
101.5 103 0
Fields 75 59 100 68 85 53 47 51 29 100
Concentration (fibers/sq. mm)
1723992 218.0719 <7.0064* 192.0195 1523662 242.7593 271.0394 253.5282 452.4489 <7.0064*
Concentration^ (fibere&c) 45775 4.4540 2.9991 4.5098 4.0285 4.4979 4.8083 20.0222 \
90% Confidence Limits
Lower
Upper
2.8962
6.2588
2.8173
6.0907
1.8986
4.0996
2.8542
6.1655
25482
55089
2.8434
6.1523
3.0423
6.5743
12.6788
27.3655
i
Lim it o f Q uantification^
0.1860 0.1431
0.1094 0.2067 0.1163 0.1163 0.1329 03101
WES000353
4 Analytical results based upon the volumes provided by R.T- Vanderbilt Company. $ Sample is a Blank, or no volume was supplied. Calculation could not be done.
* Results Below Analytical Sensitivity
.
Prepared, Counted, and Calculated m accordance with NIOSH 7400
Authorized Signature 0 /
Date
RJ Lee Group, Inc. Headquarters
350 Hochberg Road Monroeville, PA 15146
Page: 2 of 2
Tuesday,,Febtia^W, 5
Phone
Fax
(412)325-1776 (412)733-1799
Table H
Project No. AOH110601 Et>er Diameter Breakdown - Based nn PCM Analysts
Number of Fibers*
aasipig.No,,
A
B
C _
D
E
1348-F 1375-F 1377-F 1378-F 1381-F 1383-F 1384-F 1386-F 1387-F 1389-F 1393-F 1394-F 1396-F 1452`F 1456-F 1457-F 1462-F 1478-F 1479-F 1481-F 1485-F
100.0 101.0 101.5 101.5 100.5 100.5 102.0 102.5 101.0 100.0 103.0 101.5 103.0 102.0 100.0 101.0 100-5 100.5 100.0 102.0 100.5
16.0 8.5 6.5 9.5 9.5
17.5 16.0
8.0 15.0 11.0 19.5 7.5 18.5 17.5 7.5 16.0 18.0 8.5 9.5 14.0 12.0
9.0 8.0 16.0 19.5 14.0 17.5 5.0 4.5 10.0 8.5 9.5 9.5 7.0 19.0 16.5 12.0 8.5 19.5 22.5 5.5 20.0
60.0 78.5 73.0 69.0 69.5 59.5 75.0 84.0 71.0 76.5 69.0 78.0 68.5 58.0 65.0 67.0 67.0 67.5 59.0 73.0 59.0
15.0 6.0 6.0 3.5 7.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 5.0 6.5 9.0 7.5 ' 11.0 6.0 7.0 5.0 9.0 9.5 9.5
WES000354
Table II (Corn'd)
Project No. AOH110601 Fiber Diameter Breakdown - Based on PCM Analysis
Sample No.
A
B Numbercof Fibers* D
E
1487-F 1490-F 1491-F
102.5
20.0
10.5
62.5
9.5
21.0
6.0
1.5
10.5
3.0
100.0
15.0
12.5
59.5
13.0
Column Identities A-Particles >5jim long; >3:1 aspect rano; all diameters B-Pamcles >5pm long; >3:1 aspect ratio; 0.5pm diam eter C-Pardcles >5pm long; >3:1 aspect ratio; >0.5/<1.0pm diameter D-Particies >5pm long; 3:1 aspect ratio; > 1.0pm diameter
E-Particlcs >5pm long; 3:1 aspect ratio; > 1.0pm diameter-bundles
WES000355
Table HI
Project No. AOH110601 EibgrCount Comparison Between NIOSH 7400 and Proposed Method
Based on PCM Analysis
Sample No.
NIOSH 7400
Fibers n er cc
Proposed Method Fibers per cc
1348-F 1375-F 1377-F 1378-F 1381-F 1383-F 1384-F 1386-F 1387-F 1389-F 1393-F 1394-F 1396-F 1452-F 1456-F 1457-F 1462-F 1478-F 1479-F 1481-F 1485-F
3.2967 4.4540 4.5775 4.0870 2.8398 2.3863 4.5098 2.9991 4.0285 4.4979 2.3089 4.8083 20.0222 0.5306 2.4936 8.3112 8.8407 3.2873 4.5793 2.8732 1.9668
1.3187 0.9922 1.2853 1.3087 0.8760 0.9735 1.1938 0.5413 1.1966 1.0570 0.7621 1.1132 6.7064 0.2289 0.8728 2.7978 2.9802 1.0794 1.8775 0.8169 0.8121
WES000356
Table HI (Cont'd)
Project No. AOH110601 Fiber CounlXfrraparisoyrBetwcenNTOSH 7400 and Proposed Method
Based on PCM.Analysis
'
Sample No.
NIOSH 7400 Fibers per cc
Proposed Method Fibers per cc
I487'F 1490- F 1491- F
4.2838 0.3840 2.5685
1.6717 0.1920 1.0402
v, WES000357