Dust and Particle Analysis

Moody Labs has a variety of techniques available in our laboratory to perform analysis of household dusts, particles, fibers, soot, residues, and other contaminants.

Particle and Material Identification (PMI 1) - Optical Microscopy
Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) and Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), Brightfield or Darkfield, transmitted or reflected light. These techniques allow observation of a variety of optical properties to characterize and identify a variety of common contaminants:

Fiberglass, mineral wool, glass wool
Cotton fibers, plant debris, paper fibers
Human and animal hair, skin flakes
Insect debris, mold spores, pollen
Synthetic fibers from clothing and carpets
Minerals such as quartz, gypsum, calcite, including the asbestos minerals

Particle and Material Identification (PMI 2) – Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy with X-ray micro-analysis
Includes the above plus high resolution Scanning Electron Imaging and compositional analysis by Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy.
Click here for more information on Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Gravimetric Analysis – Sample analysis for nuisance dusts, particulates, carbon black, etc., either total or respirable.

Some Specific Methods we commonly work with:

Air Duct Cleaning Vacuum Test (NADCA Methodology) National Air Duct Cleaning Association specification for the cleaning and restoration of commercial HVAC Systems. This method quantifies dust present after the completion of air duct cleaning procedures.

NIOSH 0500 - Dust in Air by Gravimetric Analysis - Air sample analysis for nuisance dusts, fiberglass, or other particulates, total aerosol mass

NIOSH 0600 - Respirable Dust in Air by Gravimetric Analysis - Air sample analysis for nuisance dusts, fiberglass, or other particulates, respirable aerosol mass

ASTM D6602-13 “Standard Practice for Sampling and Testing of Possible Carbon Black Fugitive Emissions or other environmental particulate, or both

A variety of other non-standard testing and analyses can be performed, the methodology employed will vary based on the requirements:

Nuisance Dust Analysis – Bulk or tape lift
Dust can be Characterized to assist in source identification and is performed using a combination of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and/or energy-dispersive x-ray analysis.

Regulated Ceramic Fibers (RCF), Fiberglass
Characterized/identified using PLM, SEM, and/or EDXA

Soot / Carbon Black / Wildfire / House Fire, performed as an adaptation of ASTM D6602-13

Residues, Deposits, Contaminants, Small particles