Microscopic analysis of airborne particles and fibers.
Authors
Miller-AL; Habjan-MC; Beers-Green-AB; Ahlstrand-GG
Source
Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 2008 Dec; :1-28
Abstract
While there are many methods for evaluating environmental aerosols, microscopic analysis provides more information about the morphological nature of individual particles than any other method. This monograph is targeted toward industrial hygienists who are considering microscopic analysis of airborne particles or fibers and provides an introduction and overview regarding the use of microscopy to analyze such samples. The monograph briefly describes the four main types of microscopy used today: light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). For each, a brief description of the method is included, followed by an outline of the sampling and sample preparation procedures commonly used for airborne particle and fiber analysis. Each section includes descriptions of various imaging and microanalysis techniques that are applicable to the method described, as well as examples of applications of the method for characterizing airborne particles and fibers. These methods and how they can be applied to the analysis of airborne particles and fibers are described in an overview format that is intended to be introductory reading for the industrial hygienist or other air quality technician, as a guide in selecting appropriate methods for analyzing particles or fibers associated with their desired application.
Keywords
Analytical-processes; Airborne-particles; Microscopic-analysis; Microscopy; Fibrous-bodies; Fibrous-dusts
Source Name
Microscopic analysis of airborne particles and fibers
