Abstract
Measurement of the asbestos content of surface dust using transmission electron microscopy has been promoted as a means of assessing past or potential future airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers. The method currently being considered by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) employs an indirect sample preparation technique that requires ultrasonication of the dust. This paper reports the results of a series of experiments that examine the effect of ultrasonication on particles containing bound asbestos. The results demonstrate that ultrasonication of samples containing bound asbestos liberates the asbestos from the particles and breaks down unbound fibers into multiple structures. The degree of the effect is shown to depend on the type of starting material and the length of time the sample is sonicated. As a result, the reported asbestos concentration bears no relationship to the number of free respirable fibers in the dust, thereby negating any potential use as a surrogate for past or future airborne exposures.
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