Asbestos in soil : Identification and Quantification Analysis

The identification and quantification of asbestos in soils may produce positive results for
the identification analysis but negative results for the quantification analysis on soil
samples. This document offers comment and opinion on why this may occur as well as
including method statements for the Asbestos Identification analysis and the Asbestos
Quantification analysis.

Method Statement for Asbestos Identification in soil

The submitted soil sample (or, if the sample is greater than 1 Kg, a sub sample of the
submitted soil sample) is dried at less than 40 + or 5 degrees prior to visual
examination for obvious lumps of materials known to contain asbestos if any are
observed these are removed for analysis by polarised light microscopy. Where no
obvious contamination is visually identified, the dried sample or dried sub sample is
reduced in size using the cone and quarter technique to produce a suitably sized amount
of sample for examination using low power stereo microscopy. An appropriate number of
sub samples are prepared for each sample which is determined by the size and nature of
the initial sample.
To assess the asbestos type of any fibres located or any suspected asbestos containing
materials (ACMs), polarised light microscopy (including dispersion staining) is used.
Where no visible fibres are present, a minimum of two refractive index slides are
prepared and analysed per sub sample before reporting No Asbestos Detected. A
minimum of 15 minutes is spent reviewing such sub-samples to confirm the non detect
result.
It should be noted that:

The above method is a documented in house method based upon HSG248:

Asbestos: The analysts guide for sampling, analysis and clearance procedures,
published by the Health and Safety Executive, ISBN 0 7176 2875 2.
Asbestos in soil analysis must be accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard as
stipulated within the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012).
Staff performing the analysis must hold a BOHS P401 Identification of Asbestos
in Bulk Sample qualification, with appropriate training and endorsements from
their accredited organisation for such analysis in soil samples.

Method Statement for Asbestos Quantification in soil

Quantification is performed in three stages:

Stage 1 : Initial Bulk Analysis

This analysis identifies whether bulk asbestos fibres are present within the sample and
which type of asbestos is present. The procedure used for Stage 1 is the same as that
used for Asbestos Identification (described above), except that once dry, all samples are
weighed and the total dry mass of the sample is recorded and whilst conducting the
analysis any extracted ACMs are removed and placed in a container of known mass for
analysis at Stage 2.
Where no asbestos fibres are detected, this should be recorded and the result for the
sample will be reported as <0.001% which is the limit of detection for this method. A
minimum of two refractive index slides per sub sample are prepared and examined
before reporting a result of <0.001%.

Where identifiable ACMs such as asbestos cement or asbestos insulation board are
observed by the naked eye or stereo microscope, then Stage 2 analysis is conducted.
Where loose asbestos fibre is identified, Stage 2 and Stage 3 analysis is conducted.

Stage 2 : Hand Pick and Weigh of ACMs (Coarse Fraction)

Any ACMs visible to the naked eye are removed and weighed. Once ACMs visible to the
naked eye have been removed the sample is spread out for further examination by
stereo microscopy. Any additional ACMs identified are removed, weighed and identified.
Where more than 0.01% of Asbestos is extracted and weighed no further analysis is
performed.
The overall mass percentage of asbestos in the sample is calculated, referring to the
known compositions of various asbestos containing materials within the HSG guidance
documents.

Stage 3 : Fibre Counting and Sizing by Phase Contrast Optical Microscopy (PCOM) (Fine
Fraction)
Where Stage 1 analysis identifies loose asbestos fibres in the sample and <0.01% of
Asbestos is identified at Stage 2, then Stage 3 analysis is performed. Stage 3 analysis is
also performed when requested by the customer.
The cone and quarter technique described in Stage 1 is used to obtain a sub sample of
approximately 1g. This sub sample is then mixed in distilled water and the mixture
agitated and settled prior to extracting a 1ml aliquot onto a filter which is then dried at
40 + or 5 degrees and mounted on a slide. The acetone / triacetin method is used to
clear the filter in preparation for fibre counting using PCOM. Two hundred graticule areas
are examined and any fibres observed are counted. The dimensions of the counted fibres
are also measured and recorded. The length of fibres is measured to the nearest 5 m
and the width is measured to the nearest 0.5 m. The analyst performing this step must
hold a BOHS P403 Asbestos Fibre Counting qualification.
To enable effective production of slides for PCOM analysis the 1g sub sample is ground to
a fine powder using a pestle and mortar. Where prepared slides are found to be occluded
and uncountable the solution is diluted and an additional slide prepared. If required
further dilutions are prepared until an acceptable slide can be prepared.

Comments:
The following factors need to be taken into consideration when comparing Asbestos
Identification results produced by one laboratory against Asbestos Quantification Results
produced by a different (or even the same) laboratory:

The very discreet nature of the contamination :- unlike chemical

contamination, there is usually a very uneven dispersion of the asbestos fibres
in a soil sample. This is particularly pertinent at trace levels.
The specific sample, sub sample or aliquot of soil used for the initial
identification test may not be the aliquot of soil sent to the laboratory
performing the quantification. Most laboratories endeavour to incorporate the
original identification stage aliquot into the quantification sample aliquot.
Given the non uniform nature of this contamination, it is possible that a
different result would be obtained even in this circumstance.
During the validation of the quantitative method at RECs Manchester
laboratory it became clear that the initial screen process could detect levels of

<0.001%, depending upon the soil type. A single fibre could be sufficient to
report a positive for the identification step.
From a sample size of possibly in excess of 1 kg only 1g is used in the
floatation stage (Stage 3).
at present, there is not a formalised standard method used for the
quantification of Asbestos in soil. SALs Laboratory Director, Mr David Wood, is
involved in a joint industry working group who are looking into this issue and
are having some success in taking this forward.