Modernising Asbestos testing with a desktop Phenom Scanning Electron Microscope

Safe Environments is an Australian based company that provides slip testing, asbestos plus hazardous material testing, expert risk assessment and advice across a range of occupational health and safety services.
The team has recently upgraded their laboratory by purchasing a Malvern Panalytical Epsilon x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Aeris x-ray diffraction (XRD) systems, along with a Thermo Scientific Phenom XL G2 desktop Scanning Electron Microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy capabilities (SED-EDS).

With this new equipment and their existing expertise in occupational hygiene, characterising hazardous dust and chemicals, Safe Environments has positioned itself to offer the most advanced testing available for health and safety issues. Accurate identification and classification of commercial bulk materials, naturally occurring asbestos and airborne asbestos fibres is a critical part of managing the risk of exposure to workers and the community. Construction is often halted when the presence of asbestos is suspected, costing time and money. Rapid and accurate classification of the unknown fibres is essential to maintain a healthy work environment while ensuring the project continues.

The outcome of the new Phenom SEM-EDS system for the customers of Safe Environments is that there will be significantly less uncertainty in asbestos testing.

Read the full article here … https://issuu.com/materialsaustralia/docs/ma_mag_december_2020_final/32

JPG