Sample submission

Commercial bulks

To detect, classify, and identify commercial asbestos from other asbestiform minerals in bulks samples.

ISO 22262-1 inspired in-house method

Avoid false negative

TEM is able to detect very fine fibres (width < 0.2um) that cannot be observed using PLM, or desktop SEM. Declaring there is no asbestos where there is – this is the worst-case while trying to managing asbestos in-situ.

Common materials likely to have thin fibres include but are not limited to :

  • Vinyl tiles/sheets
  • Mastics
  • Vermiculite
  • Gasket
  • Bituminous materials
  • Crayon
  • Putty
  • Sealant
  • Textured coating
  • Tile adhesive
  • Paint
  • Plaster
  • Epoxy resins
Example of very thin fibres of chrysotile

Example of Non-friable Organically Bound (NOBs) materials

PLM false negative mastic sample

Asbestos containing mastic identified to the window surround in a 1990’s Government Building.
This mastic was found to contain a large number of Chrysotile Asbestos fibres when analysed using TEM at x10,000 magnification. When analysed by PLM no asbestos was detected in this sample.

PLM false negative vinyl tile sample

Stereomicroscope picture of a vinyl tile. No asbestos was detected by PLM.
“Carpet” of chrysotile was found under TEM.

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