The EPA Office of Research and Development - National Homeland Security Research Division challenged eight laboratories to participate in a blind study to analyze dust test samples to determine if scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques could be used to ascertain if buildings were impacted by the WTC disaster. Another purpose of the study was to evaluate the proficiency of laboratories and the "accuracy" of the results from analyzing dust samples following a draft protocol jointly developed by the laboratories. RJ Lee Group (RJLG) was one of the laboratories awarded a contract to participate in the study. Samples were analyzed for mineral wool concentrations and X-ray maps were obtained to quantify for specific phases such as gypsum and particles consistent with cement. During the course of this project, RJLG personnel designed and implemented custom software to automate the Personal SEM® (a registered trademark of ASPEX Corporation) to collect X-ray maps and to perform off-line image analyses need to summarize X-ray mapping results. At the conclusion of the study, it was determined that SEM analysis was an effective technique that can be used to identify and quantify particle that are indicative of WTC dust. Furthermore, RJLG was ranked the best commercial laboratory of all that participated in the study. To see the EPA report, visit,
http://www.epa.gov/stc/panel/pdfs/QAPP_Validation_StudyV480805.pdf
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