DETERMINATION OF MICROGRAM QUANTITIES OF ASBESTOS BY X-RAY-DIFFRACTION - CHRYSOTILE IN THIN DUST LAYERS OF MATRIX MATERIAL

A method has been developed for the determination of microgram quantities of chrysotile (serpentine asbestos) which is precise, accurate, rapid. The method utilizes X-ray diffraction techniques and has the capability of measuring microgram amounts of either pure chrysotile or small quantities of chrysotile (typically 1-10% by weight) in the presence of large amounts of matrix material. Detection limits as low as 2 μg/cm2 (on a filter) are cited. In developing this method, phase analysis procedures, methods of sample preparation, a technique for X-ray absorption corrections were evaluated. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.