TITLE
Method for the Determination of Asbestos in Bulk Building Materials

TEST METHOD

AUTHOR(S)
R. L. Perkins and B. W. Harvey

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Research Triangle Institute
P.O.B. 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC  27709-2194

SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Lab 
Methods Research and Development Division  (MD-77)
Research Triangle Park, NC  27711

ABSTRACT
A method describing the qualitative and quantitative analysis of
bulk building materials for asbestos content is described.  The
method employs polarized light microscopy (PLM), x-ray diffraction
(XRD), and analytical transmission electron microscopy (AEM) for
qualitative identification of materials.  Quantitative analysis is
accomplished by comparison of gravimetrically prepared standards of
known composition with unknown samples using a combination of
visual comparison, point counting, gravimetry and quantitative x-
ray diffraction.