Preparation of the UICC Standard reference samples of asbestos

Abstract The preparation of five half-ton standard reference samples of the commercially important types of asbestos for use in medical research is described. Details are given of the blending and milling of the raw materials to produce respirable fibrous dusts contaminated to a negligible extent during processing. Analysis by neutron activation showed that 10-mg quantities from one of these reference samples were accurately representative of the half ton.