Document ZRn8bZNQN83Q9Z2yr6jaNeMO

Inter Offic Trenimitsion and Chassis Division General Ofhce September 7, 1983 To: Safety Engineers Plant Engineering Managers cc: Mr. R. L. Smith Mr. R. Wabeke Subject: Asbestos Identification Test Kit Judged Inadequate The attached sales promotion literature describes a test kit being marketed by the E-C Appartus Corporation for screening sample materials for possible pre sence of asbestos. The procedure and principals of analysis provided by the kit has been discre dited - lab experience has verified that its use would give false, negative readings. Use of the subject test kit is prohibited. Attachment PS66-36 8006 0411 ' PRODUCED BY FORD E-C APPARATUS CORPORATION j 3831 Tyrone Boulevard N. St. Petersburg. Florida 33709 Telephone 813-344-1644 Telex 51-4736 HALA analysis of asbestosis containing materials. The enclosed instructions detail the use c: the kit. Each kit is shipped in two parts (required by transportation regulations) and is complete...NOTHING ELSE TO BIT. The 55 test kit is priced at $110 F.0.5. St. Petersburg, Florida with shipping charges prepaid and added to the invoice to approved credit customers. Other wise the kits are shipped C.O.D. including freight charges. For prepayment consideration the kits are shipped at our expense. We have been providing quality products to the Medical Research Laboratory since 1952 and look forward to receiving your order/check for our kit. Order simply as ASBESTEST kit. Sincerely, E-C APPARATUS CORPORATION 8006 0412 1 PRODUCED BY FORD E-C APPARATUS CORPORATION PACKAGE INSERT INSTRUCTIONS Asbestest Test Kit for Screening Sample Materials for Possible Presence of Asbestos 1. INTRODUCTION The EC Asbestest** procedure is a colormetrie qualitative test lor the detection of magnesium and iron from asbestos in bulk samples. Results may be saved in the reaction tube for future reference. The test uses a small sample. about V* inch in diameter by no more than V inch thick, which is processed using a step-by-step procedure. No special train ing or other equipment is necessary to produce results. 2. HISTORY Asbestos has been known to exist for several millennia and the word asbestos evolves from a Creek word meaning inextinguishable or incombustiblei Only in tbe last 100 years, however, has the material come into wide usage. It is mined chiefly in Canada, Russia and South .Africa. The material has been used widely for electrical and ther mal insulation, mainly in six forms of various composition throughout the world. Ninety percent (9091) ofthe existing asbestos is in the form of chrysotik which is an iron free form of asbestos that contains only magnesium. In the 1880's health hazards and related deaths were noted in workers in France and England in plants where airborne asbestos fiber was prevalent. Tbe first complete descrip tion of asbestosis was in 1927. This is a disease resulting from breathing small panicles ofasbestos dust which forms scar tissue in the lung that causes breathlessness after prolonged exposure. Lung cancer and mesothelioma are also diseases associated with exposure to asbestos dust. Although it is the airborne asbestos that creates tbe health hazard, tbe presence of solid asbestos can be potentially airborne by mechanical or pneumatic disruption. 3. INTENDED USES This kit is intended to be used for wet chemical analysis of bound magnesium and bound iron which is found in asbes tos and asbestos contaning materials. In certain forms of asbestos only magnesium is present and in other forms only iron is present, while in several forms both are present. The sample is first treated to wash aw ay unwanted and interfer ing substances and then the magnesium and/or iron is released from the sample by chemical treatment and an appropriate color reagent is added which turns a specific color. 4. SUMMARY AND EXPLANATION OF THE TEST The identification of asbestos in solid materials is the fust step in identifying a potential airborne asbestos problem. Various techniques can be used to identify asbestos and these include opcical microscopy, electron optical mic roscopy. X-ray refractometry. infra-red spectropho tometry, thermal "analysis, and elemental analysisTTbe basis of the Asbestest** is elemental analysis but. because it is a screening technique which might have some in terferences , positive samples should be confirmed by other techniques. Tbe six different types of asbestos in descending order of usage (90*31 of world consumption is chrvsorile type) are as follows: 1. Chrysorile(Mg02SiO,-2H:0) 2. Amosite ((FeMglSiOj) 3. Crocidolite {(NaFe(SiO>yFeSiO}'HjO) 4. Anthophyllite l(MgFeb'Si|O^OH>J) 5. Tremolite (CajMgjSUOa'fOHlJ 6. Aainolitc (CtO-3(MgFc)0"4SiOj 8006 0415 PRODUCED BY FORD