THE EVALUATION OF AIRBORNE ASBESTOS FIBRES USING A SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

Abstract

Asbestos fibres sampled on Nuclepore filters can be directly examined by scanning electron microscope in much greater detail than is possible using the conventional optical microscope/membrane filter technique. Results obtained by the two methods for fibres > 5 μm in length were in good agreement. The new technique could facilitate the development of automatic counting methods for asbestos fibres.