200: BULK ASBESTOS ANALYSIS
This intensive lecture-laboratory course on asbestos analysis is intended as an introduction
to the identification of asbestos in construction materials for those individuals starting in this
field. It is a high powered course designed for the individual who will be required to identify
asbestos minerals and know how they differ from other common man-made or natural fibers. Over
two hundred different types of fibers are available for examination. Every student will become
familiar with at least 35 of the most common fibers encountered in the analysis of materials for
asbestos content. Problems related to sample preparation and interpretation are presented and
resolved. The class is presented in such a way that the non-technical student will leave the
course feeling confident in their ability to detect and properly identify the asbestos minerals.
340: SMALL PARTICLE IDENTIFICATION
This intensive lecture-laboratory course on the identification of small particles is designed
to aid those individuals responsible for the identification of unknown particles in complex
matrices. This includes the forensic analyst, contamination control specialist, environmental
analyst, and the materials quality control specialist. This class teaches the analyst how to
quickly identify natural minerals, biologicals, artifacts, and compounds along with their
sources using a problem solving approach. It stresses rapid accumulation of data through prescribed
tests and observations. Background information, the physics, and chemistry of each test is provided
to aid the student in extending the usefulness of the test to new situations.
2 ½ DAY MICROSCOPY CLASSES
101 Introduction to Transmitted Light Microscopy Prerequisite: None
The eye is the detector for the light microscope. Understanding how the eye “sees” and the function
of the Cartesian Theater is essential to properly using the light microscope. This class begins
with the human eye and the visual processing centers of the human brain. The analytical light
microscope is then described in detail with regard to the effect each part has on the analysis.
The eight critical focal planes of the compound microscope are identified and their interaction
is demonstrated. Brightfield, darkfield, and oblique illumination are used with a variety of
different samples in order to see the advantages and disadvantages of each. Polarized light
microscopy will be introduced. The basics of light/matter interactions will be presented with
a demonstration of the visual effects caused by them.
102 Particles Associated with Health Complaints Prerequisite: None
The sick building syndrome (SBS) is a demonstrable fact. The causes are many and though the symptoms
of sufferers are similar they are often distinct and caused by different agents in the environment.
This class presents agents detected either directly or indirectly by particles seen in the environment.
This class is for non-microscopists or for microscopists new to indoor environmental quality assessment.
Molds, mites, insects, pets, pollens, chemical irritants, physical irritants, birds, and rodents will
be addressed. The particles associated with each of these agents will be shown. Their motion through
the environment, sampling techniques, and symptoms of each will be presented. Optimal methods of
analysis will be demonstrated.
103 Interpretation of Microscopical Results Prerequisite: None
Light microscopy is the single most powerful analytical technique available to the environmental analyst.
It is used to evaluate crime scenes, archeological sites, and to interpret geological history. The price
for a single analysis ranges from $25.00 to $1000.00 plus. Why is there such a difference? This class
presents the basics of microscopical analysis, the processes used, the confidence one can have in the
results, and the steps required to generate an answer to the environmental issues of concern. This
class is for non-microscopists or for microscopists new to indoor environmental quality assessment.
111 Sample Preparation, Mounting Media, Micro-tools Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
The quality of the final image is affected by the way the sample is prepared the medium in which it
is mounted. Special techniques and tools are required to properly prepare the samples. This class
is a general introduction to preparing a variety of different materials for study. Thin sectioning
of hard materials, fixing and staining of biological materials, acetolysis of pollen grains,
extraction, filtration, sedimentation, crushing, and other techniques will be demonstrated and will
be part of laboratory experiments. The making of micro-tools for specimen manipulation and for the
preparation of micro-mounts will be presented. Tools made by the students will be theirs to take with
them after the class.
121 Concepts of Quantification Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
Quantification and number generation are not the same. Quantification is a measure of some property
relevant to a specific issue or topic of concern. It implies a relationship between the value reported
and a specific interest. “He has ten pieces of paper money” could mean he has ten of the pieces of a
dollar bill torn into many more fragments or it could mean he has ten ten-thousand dollar bills.
If the issue is financial worth these are very different. If the issue is an analysis of the paper
from which the money is made they are equivalent provided the fragments of the dollar bill are each
large enough for an analysis. This class discusses the quantification of environmentally important
particles, reviews established protocols, and applies those protocols to a number of individual
samples. Counting techniques and their statistical underpinnings will be presented. Computer
assisted image analysis will be demonstrated and discussed. The effect of sampling on the confidence
of the final numbers will also be evaluated.
131 Introduction to the Microscopical Universe Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
The microscopic objects that fill our world are incredibly varied, incredibly beautiful, and
wonderfully unexpected. The Microscopical Universe is every bit as large as that of our common
experience. There are monsters, incredible gems, beautiful plants, amazing animals, unexpected
geographies, forests and seas populated by a vast array of unique inhabitants. This class explores
a number of the areas in this universe very briefly, but long enough to demonstrate the techniques
required to explore further on ones own. Insects, Arachnida, pollens, spores, mosses, molds,
diatoms, minerals, chemicals, plastics, metals, and the nature of “dust” are all subjects for this
class. The purpose of this class is to prepare the student to recognize some of the features that
make each of these things unique under the microscope and to generate an appreciation for the
importance of properly configuring the optics that make up the microscope.
151 Sampling Environments for Microscopical Analysis Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
Which sampling methods are best for the greatest number of environmental hazarders? See for yourself
as we experiment with a variety of different methods and assess the results. In this class we will
not only discuss the theory of sampling and collection methods but we will test them out and evaluate
the impact sampling has on analytical results. The sampling method often presupposes the agent
responsible and optimizes the collection of that agent while significantly biasing the results
against other agents that may be active in the environment. Air sampling and settled dust sampling
methods will be reviewed. The effect of microenvironments will be presented and the question of
minimum sample size and confidence in the data will be addressed.
163 Quantification or Airborne Asbestos Fiber: NIOSH 582 Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
This class begins with a basic introduction to light microscopy and phase contrast techniques. It includes a
discussion of refractive index, particle morphology, and quantitative analysis. It then applies that knowledge
to the NIOSH 7400 method of quantifying airborne asbestos fibers. Filter clearing techniques, gradicule
calibration, rules for counting fibers, and conversion of raw counts back to airborne concentrations are
practiced. The student is encouraged to bring their own microscope so that they will be trained on the
microscope that they will be using in the field.
211 Identification of Spores: Part 1 Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
Mold spores are known to be an agent that can cause health problems for many individuals. This class is
an introduction to the airborne-spore-generating life forms and then specifically spores generated by the
different classes of fungi. A number of different fungi will be examined with a naming of parts and an
introduction to the vocabulary used to describe morphologies common to fungal spores. Each student will
take home at least 5 permanently mounted characteristic standard fungal preparations for future reference.
A key will be provided with each slide containing relevant life cycle and morphological vocabulary.
212 Identification of Spores: Part 2 Prerequisite: 211, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
This class is designed for individuals with some familiarity with airborne spores. Fungal ecology will
be introduced with specific attention to indoor environments. Spore counting and reporting protocols
will be presented. The relationship between surface and airborne spore counts will be discussed in terms
of the physics of particle behavior and the nature of spore release for indoor environments. Each student
will take home a set of standard permanent slides of important common indoor fungi.
251 Identification of Particles in Schools Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
Schools are unique environments in many ways. They tend to have a high person to room volume ratio with
period of high activity. The track-in of debris from outside environments tends to be high as well as the
mechanical transport of pet dander. Chalk, dry-erase dust, and pencil debris may be present at various levels
depending on use. Debris from special projects or specific classes also complicates the identification of
particles in school environments. Many classrooms have a complex mix of micro-environments that may be evident
by their characteristic particles. All of these aspects of airborne particles in a school will be present and
demonstrated through reference slides. Real world samples will be used in order to familiarize the student with
these particles in context. Sampling of school environments will also be discussed.
252 Identification of Particles in Office Environments Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
Office environment vary depending on the activities being performed in a given unit area. It is not unusual to
point sources that may impact specific workspaces more than others. Ventilation systems, proximity to exterior
doors or windows, copy machines or printers, air exchange rates, cleaning frequency, remodeling debris, and
other agents can impact the workspace. This course looks at a number of different office environments to
determine how the particle loading affects the incidence of health complaints.
253 Identification of Particles in Homes Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
Homes contain a variety of particles that tend to be at higher concentrations than work or school environments.
Pets add a number of distinctive particles to the environment. There are a number of mite species that live in
homes. Food debris is common. Cosmetics, cleaners, and other agents are common. Insects can also have an impact
in home environments. Special projects or home improvements can create conditions in the home that have a health
impact. These particles will be reviewed and the criteria for identifying them in samples will be detailed.
Students will have the opportunity to work with real world samples to detect these particles in context.
351 Identification of Construction Material Particles Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
Initial construction or remodeling can created a condition that is a cause for complaint. These
materials include plasters, paint, concrete dust, sawdust, grinding debris, abrasives, weld debris,
glass fiber, cellulose fiber, resins, asphalts, perolite, vermiculite, and others. The presence of
some of these particles also implicates solvents, hazardous trace materials, and gas phase contaminants
that may also cause concern on the part of individuals in the environment. This class examines these
particles and details the attributes of each particle that indicates a construction source.
461 Identification of Particles Associated with Health Complaints Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
Many particles that are not regulated or are regulated as nuisance dusts correlate well with certain health
complaints at relatively low concentrations in the environment. This class examines those particles and the
literature that suggests a relationship between these particles and those specific health complaints. In some
cases the correlations are very poorly supported and the reasons for that will be discussed and demonstrated.
In other cases some have contended correlations are poor because they have not understood the analytical process.
These cases will also be presented and discussed. The goal of this class is to better prepare the analyst to
assess the probability of an agent being present that may cause the symptoms cited and to determine the source of
that agent.
481 Particles by Seasons Prerequisite: 101, any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
Seasons are both an indoor and an outdoor phenomina. The changes of conditions outdoors are often quite evident
but they have less visible effects indoors. Low temperatures outdoors decreases humidity indoors, while high
temperatures outdoors tends to increase humidity indoors. Microenvironments within indoor spaces can have profound
effects on temperature and humidity. Air circulation or the lack of it creates localized conditions that may foster
mold growth or mite reproduction. Examples will be shown of a variety of different particle types indicating micro-
environments that may produce agents resulting in health complaints. Air flow in the home as a result of weather
conditions outside will also be presented.
491 Introduction to Principles of Assemblage Analysis Prerequisite: Any one of the site specific or process specific classes (251, 252, 253, 271, 351, 421, 423, 425, 441, or 471),
any of the five day classes, or permission from the instructor
Particles are created by communition (grinding), accumulation, or precipitation. They are rarely created as pure compounds.
Secondary products, associated products, precursors, and typical contaminants that are characteristic of the process or
processes of their generation are found with these particles. This collection of particles constitutes a characteristic
assemblage. Identifying typical assemblages and assigning particles to their appropriate assemblages is the process of
assemblage analysis. This class is an introduction to the basic assemblage types. The process of searching for and
identifying an assemblage in the sample will be described.
