Asbestos

Though asbestos is less prevalent in today’s society, it is still encountered in older facilities, products and raw materials.  Microtrace is equipped with a variety of analytical methods to characterize and identify asbestos in an array of different matrices.

 

Isolation

Searching for and identifying asbestos in a range of matrices can be challenging, and Microtrace has the experience and capabilities to isolate asbestos or suspected asbestos from virtually any matrix, including air, dust, soil, vermiculite, brake pads, and tile (among others)

 

Reference materials

Included in our extensive mineral reference collection are multiple reference samples of all controlled asbestos minerals from a variety of locales as well as associated minerals.  Having these reference samples not only allows our laboratory to characterize asbestos samples but compare them directly to know asbestos reference samples.

 

Analytical Methods

The range of microanalytical methods at Microtrace permits us to utilize the most appropriate method for quantitative asbestos sample characterization.  While most samples are examined by polarized light microscopy and dispersion staining, other characterization methods including powder x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and electron diffraction are available as necessary.

 

Detailed Characterization

In some instances, a higher level characterization of structures, minerals and particles through high resolution morphological analysis of intergrowths, mixed bundles, look-alike phases can provide additional information of value.

Litigation Support

Microtrace can offer full legal support for our scientific analyses, including testimony, with asbestos analysis.

 

How May We Help You?

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