Reference

A quick screen test for the identification of asbestos

A quick screen test for the identification of asbestos. Lin, Yi Chang (Coll. Med., Natl. Taiwan Univ., Taipei, Taiwan). Huan Ching Pao Hu (Taipei), 9(1), 1-11 (Chinese) 1986. CODEN: HPHUDA. ISSN: 0254-0010. DOCUMENT TYPE: Journal CA Section: 59 (Air Pollution and Industrial Hygiene) Section cross-reference(s): 79 By using the spot-test technique, the types of asbestos in sample of bulk material can be screened quickly with a high validity. In this test, Mg is liberated from chrysotile [12001-29-5], amosite, and tremolite [14567-73-8] following the glycerin [56-81-5] wash procedures and forms a blue-colored complex with p-nitrophenylazo-a-naphthol [6410-10-2]. After adding the acid wash steps, Na is released from crocidolite [12001-28-4], Ca from tremolite, and Fe from amosite and crocidolite, which in turn reacts with Zn uranyl acetate [33959-50-1], glyoxal-bis(2-hydroxyanil) [1149-16-2], and 1,10-phenanthroline [66-71-7] to give a yellow ppt., a CHCl3-sol.Several reagents with their cas registry numbers 12001-28-4 and 14567-73-8 are used here. red ppt., and a red-colored complex, resp. In combination with the results of color development and comparing with the chem. compn. of chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, and tremolite, one can easily predict the types of asbestos. This method was successfully applied in a field survey for the identifiction of asbestos in bulk samples and settled dust samples. The validity of this test is 98% based on verification by the dispersion staining technique. Since the threshold limit values (fibers/cm3 > 5 mm in length) for crocidolite, amosite, chrysotile, and other forms of asbestos are 0.2, 0.5 and 2.0, resp., the method described here may also be useful in detg. compliance with permissible exposure levels, esp. when suitable instruments and manpower are limited. .