US EPA

3581411 

Journal Article 

Detection of asbestos fibres in selected building materials 

Skvarla, J; Kozakova, L; Sisol, M; Zelenak, F 

2009 

Yes 

Acta Montanistica Slovaca
ISSN: 1335-1788 

14 

1 

28-32 

WOS:000271413400004 

Detection of asbestos fibres in selected building materials Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral having a fibrous structure. The Directive 2003/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 March 2003 considers "asbestos" the following fibrous silicates: actinolite, gruenerite (amosite), anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite. Materials based on asbestos fibres and other mineral fibres have preferential characteristics; they are chemically, electrically and thermally resistant. Because of these unique characteristics, asbestos is utilized by builders, mainly in roofing, insulation materials and facades. In connection with the restriction of the usage of asbestos fibres usage in EU is due to the documented carcinogenic impact, it is necessary to detect and identify these fibres. Selected samples of building insulation materials were studied by the polarized light microscopy and by the scanning electron microscopy. For the purpose of measuring asbestos, only fibres with a length of more than five micrometers, a breadth of less than three micrometers and a length/breadth ratio greater than 3:1 were taken into consideration. Asbestos fibres, fibres of mineral wool and cellulose we identified. 

asbestos fibres; polarized light microscopy; scanning electron microscopy