Large-Scale Interlaboratory Study of the Accuracy of Asbestos Analysis by TEM

Abstract

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been mandated by Congress to accredit and to test the proficiency of laboratories involved in the analysis of asbestos on filters by TEM. The laboratories are specifically accredited as proficient in the determination of the concentration of asbestos in air following abatement (or removal) of asbestos from school buildings using analytical procedures developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Related to the accreditation program, NIST has conducted two interlaboratory studies of the accuracy of analysis by TEM. The first study involved comparison of analyses by 15 laboratories. This work describes a large-scale study of the accuracy of analysis of asbestos on filters by 113 laboratories.