The Sensitivity of Lavage Analysis by Light and Analytical Electron Microscopy in Correlating the Types of Asbestos from a Known Exposure Setting

Abstract

Lavage material was collected from 12 individuals whose work history included working in a cement manufacturing facility. The manufacturing processes of the facility included the use of crocidolite and chrysotile asbestos. Lavage material was prepared via digestion procedure and then analyzed for the presence of ferruginous bodies by light microscopy and for uncoated asbestos fibers by analytical transmission electron microscopy. A comparison was made as to the sensitivity between two analytical methods for linking a past exposure to a specific type of asbestos. The use of analytical transmission electron microscopy for identification of core material in the ferruginous bodies as well as for quantification of the uncoated asbestos fibers increased the sensitivity of the information obtained from lavage samples as necessary for confirming exposure in the past to specific types of asbestos.

Quantitative detection of asbestos fiber in gravelly sand using elastic body-exposure method

“…Lack of reliability and objectivity in these counted values has been reported [9]. Transmission electron microscopy of air samples is also essential for identification and quantification of finer asbestos fibers [4]. However, the detection of finer asbestos by microscopy is impossible when the sample includes gravelly sand, which consists of several clay mineral species.…”