A new method for the detection of low levels of free fibres of chrysotile in contaminated soils by X-ray powder diffraction

A new method for the determination of free fibres of chrysotile in contaminated soils is described. The detection limit of 0.5 wt per thousand is reached by an enrichment process of the asbestos fraction of the sample using a standard laboratory elutriator for sedimentation analysis. The analysis of the enriched fraction is performed by X-ray powder diffraction using a conventional instrument. The procedure can be successfully applied to several soils of different nature throughout thermal treatment and removal of possible interferences due to some matrix components. This method is straightforward, routinized and has been especially developed to fulfil the request of public and private institutions for an appropriate quantitative determination of chrysotile free fibres in contaminated soils.