Positive Identification of Microgram Quantities of Asbestos Using Infrared Spectroscopy

摘要

Because it is highly toxic and carcinogenic to exposed workers, much recent interest has been expressed in identifying and quantifying small amounts of asbestos in many materials. To date, optical microscopy, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS), air particle counting, and Raman spectroscopy have all displayed limited applicability to samples of diverse origin. The present report shows that infrared spectroscopy can be used to identify absolutely microgram quantities of various asbestos types in all normally encountered samples. Its main advantages over other methods include ease of sample preparation, speed, and low cost of necessary equipment. When combined with simple purification procedures, it can be used for largely non-asbestos mixtures. Finally, when combined with present day microcomputer systems, automatic semiquantitative identification of mixtures of different asbestos types can be made. (Author)