Abstract
This study aimed to compare sample pretreatment procedures for the identification and quantification of asbestos. The performance of visual estimation and point counting procedures for evaluating asbestos-containing waste was investigated, and the effect of analytical experience was studied. The efficacy of pretreatments for the identification and quantification of asbestos in various sample matrices was compared. To evaluate the effect of experience on analytical accuracy, three analysts with different analytical experiences were selected. There were significant differences in the quantitative analysis results obtained using different pretreatments. False negatives were reported when asbestos, especially amphiboles, were analyzed by a less-experienced analyst. Quantification via point counting and visual estimation resulted in differences in the asbestos content. The results of point counting were more accurate than those of visual estimation for all analysts, regardless of the asbestos type and concentration. Experience in asbestos analysis affected accuracy and precision. The findings show that pretreatment is an important factor in qualitative analysis. Appropriate pretreatments should be assigned based on the properties of the sample. For quantitative analysis, the accuracy of the results depends on the experience of the analyst. Until analysts are fully trained, all their analysis results should be checked by an experienced analyst. Point counting is an adequate quantitative method for analyzing samples with low concentrations.
Highlights
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral
Ten samples were acquired from the Bulk Asbestos Proficiency Analytical Testing (BAPAT) program conducted by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA-BAPAT), and three samples were from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA-BAPAT)
This study examined the impact of sample pretreatment on qualitative analysis of asbestos, assessed the quantitative comparison between visual estimation and point counting, and investigated the dependence of the analytical results on the experience of the analyst
Summary
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. Due to its adverse health impacts, qualitative and quantitative analysis are important to characterize the asbestos status of bulk waste samples. The management of analysts and institutes is required to assure the accuracy of asbestos analysis as asbestos has remained a social issue in Korea since 2005 [7]. Asbestos is used in mixtures with other structural materials; for PLM to be effective, sample pretreatment is required to remove these materials to reduce analytical errors and obtain reliable qualitative and quantitative results by eliminating the interference from binders. If binders are present during analysis, it is difficult to detect asbestos, and sample pretreatment guidelines are required to eliminate the interference and allow reliable qualitative and quantitative analysis
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