TECH 16 |
| The HCC-NE Chemical Laboratory Technology program in partnership with Envirotest LTD studied collaboratively determination of asbestos methodologies as part of laboratory component of the applied instrumental analysis course of the curriculum. Results generated in the educational laboratory were used by the industry partner. When Testing for Asbestos the main fibers that are sought will be Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidolite, and then there are the rare fibers such as Actinolite, Tremolite, and Anthopholite. The procedure used in the industry today is the NIOSH 7200 method also known as The Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) Method. This method is used widely and is well accepted. This method requires the technicians to read slides prepared by them from air monitoring units. These filters collect any fibers that or floating in the air around the possible contaminated area. Asbestos fibers may take up to 48 hour to float to the floor after being dislodged from resting place. A fiber has to be 5 microns long before it is considered a fiber, there may be several fibers in view and maybe considered an asbestos fiber but if it is not 5 microns long it is not counted. Alternative the amount of magnesium contained in samples was measured and it is directly proportional to the amount of asbestos in tested samples. |
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Sci Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, 11 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Sci-Mix
Division of Chemical Technicians |