Method of asbestos separation in soil samples and determination by optical microscope

A new method of asbestos determination for quantitative analysis in environmental samples, e.g., soil and water has been developed. The proposed procedure is inexpensive and relatively fast and easy. It can be used e.g. for quantitative determination of asbestos in the soil after the removal of asbestos containing materials for confirmation of the efficiency of work executed. A Polish Patent Application for the procedure of asbestos determination and an analytical set for asbestos determination have been prepared. The analytical set for asbestos determination is based on optical microscopy with optional phase contrast, and is equipped with a digital camera connected to a computer with the appropriate software. The procedure of determination involves leaching the asbestos fibers from the soil and subsequently investigation of leachate by optical microscope. A surface active agent is used for a better leaching of the asbestos fibers. It has been shown, that application of the surface active agent for analysis improves the accuracy of determination. We would like to briefly present the proposed procedure of asbestos determination and the results of studies on the optimization of this procedure, especially in soils