Issues on Definition of Asbestos and Asbestos Analytical Method for Asbestos Containing Materials in Japan

Abstract

It is important to take proper and rational countermeasures to prevent asbestos exposures of the public from existing asbestos-containing materials. The first important step towards an effective asbestos control is the implementation of an appropriate analytical method for asbestos-containing materials. In Japan, the JIS A 1481 method has been the only legallyacceptable asbestos analysis method since 2006. The JIS method uses a combination of X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and dispersion-staining phase contrast microscopy (DS-PCM) to analyze bulk samples of suspect asbestos-containing materials. The JIS approach is completely different from the ISO/DIS22262-2 analytical method, which is soon to be the international standard for asbestos analyses. Unfortunately, the JIS analytical methodology has repeatedly raised concerns about the accuracy of the analysis based on the JIS method. This study reviews the different definitions of asbestos used in both the JIS and ISO analytical methods ; compares the respective effectiveness of each analytical method ; and, discusses the accuracy of the JIS method in comparison with that of the ISO method. The JIS method has possibility to lead to analytical results different from those of the ISO method because of the difference in the definition of asbestos and in analytical methods.