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Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field of study which focuses on environmental systems. It applies a system’s approach on analysing & solving environmental problems.
Here, we focus on the applied aspect of Environmental Science. Asbestos detection and the study of airborne particulates are crucial for the modern society, especially in the context of the urban environment. There are many distinct types of pollution: e.g. particles generated by brake pads. However, pollution can be comprised of other foreign particles such as microplastics and polymers. Moreover, fat, oil, and grease in water are also common pollutants.
With our systems you can detect asbestos and analyse airborne particles such as pollution.
Asbestos is a collective term for fibrous mineral species (chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, actinolite) which were widely used as insulators for many years around the world. If fibrous asbestos particles are inhaled they can cause problems in the lungs including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. This means that when asbestos is suspected of being present it must be identified quickly and accurately so that its safe removal can be performed. From the 80s on, the use of asbestos for construction and fireproofing has been gradually banned in several countries due to the adverse health effects induced by exposure to it.
The asbestos group of minerals (as defined by EPA) covers a range of different compositions but the common factor between all asbestos types is the fibrous nature of particles. Given the list of potential negative effects of exposure to asbestos listed above, it is very important that exposure is kept to a minimum for all people. When building works are being conducted, particularly the renovation of older buildings where asbestos may have been used, it is essential that it is rapidly determined whether or not asbestos is present.
Chrysotile fibres. Chrysotile is one of the asbestos mineral species.
This can be particularly important when works are stopped pending remediation of any asbestos issues. Moreover, asbestos minerals can be present in talc and vermiculite, which do not necessarily involve building materials. Screening of such materials is also essential to ensure public health.
A well established method for addressing this problem is the use of automated SEM + EDS to analyse the fibres – AZtecFeature (Ultim Max, Xplore).
Run times are optimised by using the aspect ratio of the particle to decide whether or not EDS analysis should be performed – so that only the particles/fibres of interest are studied. Results are produced which show how many fibres of the dangerous types – with both asbestos composition and a very high aspect ratio – are found in a sample.
Once analysed, all of the information is available to either confirm, if no asbestos was found, that work can continue or, if it was, determine what sort of remediation should be performed.
Asbestos can also be analysed in the TEM.
Historically, airborne particulates have been dealt with primarily by number and size - the numbers of particles within size ranges such as PM10 (airborne particles of 10 µm or less) and PM2.5 (particles of 2.5 µm or less). This classification does of course have its uses and is a valuable way of describing airborne particulates but it does lack important information on the composition of particles. This information is starting to become increasingly valued and is likely to be even more so in the future as understanding develops on the specific effects of particles of different compositions at this size scale.
An increasing amount of research is being conducted on atmospheric particles. Researchers working in the field are developing knowledge on how the atmosphere works by studying the particles within it and what effect they have on atmospheric processes. This work is fed into atmospheric and climate models and has impacts on policy, climate change mitigation plans and potentially forecasting.
A connection between a particle’s size and composition show how those parameters affect ice nucleation in the atmosphere. Particles with different compositions nucleate ice to different extents and so by combining knowledge of the range of particle sizes and compositions with experiments on ice nucleation the effects of those particles on processes such as cloud formation can be determined. Similar methods are applicable to studies of pollutants with particles of different compositions having different effects when they enter the human body.
We can help you determine the size and composition of particles with one measurement. SEM-EDS with AZtecFeature (Ultim Max, Xplore) run automated particle analysis to reliably give you answers. | Human breathing in air particles.
The XploreCompact for TTM is an EDS detector designed for routine analysis in the SEM. The introduction of Xplore complements our comprehensive EDS portfolio and means that AZtecLive real-time chemical imaging is now available to all users. Available for tabletop microscopes, too.
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AZtecFeature run times are optimsed by using the aspect ratio of the particle to decide whether EDS analysis should be performed, studying the particles/fibers of interest. Results produced show how many fibres are of the dangerous types, with asbestos composition and a very high aspect ratio found in a sample.
Ultim Max EDS detectors use high-end technology to deliver unparalleled speed and sensitivity without compromising on accuracy or quality. This range of detectors combines the largest sensor sizes (up to 170 mm2) with Extreme electronics to deliver remarkable performance.
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