Authors: Richard J. Lee PhD., Glynnis Anne Bowman CHMM, Brian R. Strohmeier PhD. and Drew Van Orden P.E.
On June 6, 2007, R Lee Group's (RJLG) Glynnis Bowman presented "Limitations of Current Analytical Protocols as they relate to Public Policy- The Libby, Montana Puzzle" at the annual American Industrial Hygiene Association Conference and Expo (AIHce) in Philadelphia, PA. The presentation was a summary of RJLG's study on soil and air samples collected in the community of Libby, MT.
The following questions were addressed in the presentation:
• What amphibole mineral species are present in the vermiculite that in 2000 remained in the residences and businesses from the Vermiculite Mountain mine?
• Are the amphibole minerals asbestos and therefore subject to regulation by Federal Agencies?
Chemical and morphological findings indicate that the majority of the amphibole particles investigated at RJLG by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) are richterite or winchite as opposed to tremolite.
The presentation also introduced the complex nature of mixed mineral dust samples. Samples from mixed mineral environments present greater analytical challenge than routine asbestos abatement samples. Therefore standard methodology may not be sufficient for such samples. Augmenting TEM analysis with FESEM greatly enhances the characterization of particle morphology.
Libby, MT continues to be of great interest in the industrial hygiene community. The presentation was well attended and received by the audience.
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