Improved Detection Sensitivity for Asbestiform Minerals in Talc Using FTIR and Multivariate Analysis

Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center 

This study presents an integrated workflow to improve detection of asbestiform amphiboles (anthophyllite and tremolite) in asbestos contaminated talc by combining sodium polytungstate (SPT) heavy liquid separation (HLS) to separate dense mineral fractions, diffuse reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy (DRIFT) to measure spectral features, and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to classify mineral type. This approach reduces the impact of spectral overlap in talc-dominant mixtures and supports more reliable identification for exposure prevention.

T. Barone, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
S. E. Mischler, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
T. Lee, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pittsburgh, PA, USA"
 

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Asbestos, lead, and dust