Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


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3648351 
Journal Article 
Applications Of Optical Microscopy In Analysis Of Asbestos And Quartz 
Dixon, WC 
1980 
NIOSH/00153725 
120 
120 
13-41 
Applications of visible light, such as the use of polarized light, birefringence, retardation, angles of extinction, dispersion staining and phase contrast are discussed, primarily as they relate to analyzing asbestos (1332214). These optical microscopic techniques are powerful tools in industrial hygiene. Industrial hygienists should work with those personnel using microscopic techniques to measure asbestos and other harmful minerals in the workplace to ensure the safety of workers. Asbestos, quartz (14808607), and other minerals can be analyzed by consideration of mineralogical principles and crystal systems. The optical behavior of such minerals is related to the internal crystal structure of the mineral. Tables of optical constants are useful for mineral identification. A system for analyzing asbestos using several microscopic techniques is presented and detailed. The author concludes that the microscope is a powerful tool for analysis that should not be overlooked by the industrial hygiene chemist. 
DCN-139591; Analytical models; Microscopy; Industrial dusts; Industrial emission sources; Industrial emissions; Asbestos dusts; Electronic equipment; Industrial engineering; Asbestos fibers; Industrial environment; Analytical chemistry; 1332-21-4; 14808-60-7