NIST Scientists Discover a Cost-Effective and Easier Technique for Asbestos Detection

Asbestos, a mineral that was used extensively throughout much of the 20^th century, can cause aggressive and fatal illnesses like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. While the use of asbestos has virtually been eliminated, this substance remains a huge threat to this day. Legacy asbestos, which refers to asbestos-containing materials that were installed in buildings, structures, or products before the dangers of asbestos became widely known, poses ongoing risks if disturbed or damaged. Because of the threat posed by asbestos, detecting the presence of this substance is crucial.

For a long time, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been the go-to method for detecting asbestos in schools, factories, and other buildings. To test for asbestos in buildings, inspectors have had to collect samples from the buildings and submit them to a specialized lab with highly trained staff for examination using TEM. Some states require or recommend using TEM for asbestos testing during the removal process in commercial properties.

However, transmission electron microscopy is complex and can be expensive. Another method that can be used to test for asbestos is phase contrast microscopy. This method is less costly and easier than TEM but less accurate. Now, researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) say they have found a better way of detecting asbestos. NIST researchers Jason Holm and Elisabeth Mansfield say scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be a suitable substitute for TEM in asbestos testing. The researchers say that SEM can produce results comparable to TEM. SEM, which is cheaper and more convenient than TEM, could speed up and reduce the expenses associated with asbestos remediation in the U.S.

Both SEM and TEM are types of electron microscopy. With these two methods, technicians use electron beams to examine material samples. These beams interact with the samples to provide results. In TEM, electrons pass through the sample, offering detailed images and better resolution. This helps in seeing fine details. With conventional SEM, electrons reflect off the surface, providing less details of the interior compared to TEM. However, in recent years, SEM technology has advanced significantly. Manufacturers have improved the technology’s imaging power. On top of that, tabletop SEMs are now available, making it possible to carry this technology to a site suspected of contamination, unlike TEM, which must be conducted in a lab.

Like with TEM, training on the use and operation of SEM is a must. However, according to Holm, a person can master using and operating SEM in several months. On the other hand, it can take years for someone to master the use and operation of TEM.

The two researchers used NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1866, which contains asbestos fibers, to test SEM. This standard sample helps labs calibrate their equipment and procedures. The researchers’ analysis of SRM 1866 using SEM closely matched the standard data, confirming the technology’s accuracy. While the researchers acknowledge that TEM has some capabilities that SEM does not have, they believe that SEM is good enough for use only in asbestos abatement.

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