OPERATOR AIR: DETERMINATION OF THE CONCENTRATION OF ASBESTOS FIBERS

ANALYSIS METHODS

Detection and counting of asbestos fibers and identification of the fibers’ type in the sampling of operator air, by observation with the transmission electron microscope (TEM)

TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS EMPLOYED

Identification through a TEM analysis of the morphology of the fibers and additional analysis using the electronic diffraction methods and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy  

NATURE OF THE RESULTS

Results are quantitative: the number of asbestos fibers observed and the analytical sensibility measured depending on the target and the volume of the sampling.

ESTIMATED TIME

Day 1, day 3 or day 5

SAMPLING

Sampling cassettes labelled and packed in waterproof zip lock bags, with the sampling sheet ; you can also gather the same sampling filters’ position.

NORM and REFERENCE

NF X 43-050 ; LAB REF 28