Main interfering in spectroscopic analysis for the determination of asbestos containing materials

Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is widely used as a technique for the analysis of asbestos containing materials (ACM). It is complementary to microscopic analyzes. It is capable of detecting asbestos even in small quantities and in complex matrices. Often, during the analyzes, the critical aspects of the presence of interfering substances in the commercial artifacts are neglected. It is easy in this type of analysis to make interpretive errors defined as false positives: then locate asbestos in asbestos-free samples. The FTIR analysis of an ACM must always be associated with a morphological analysis of the sample by means of optical microscopy that allows identification of the fibrous forms of the sample. The aim of this paper is to study the main interferences present in commercial materials in spectroscopic analyzes. In the analysis of commercial matrices where there are some minerals such as kaolin containing kaolinite and/or similar lithotypes (for example, dickite, halloysite, nacrite) it is essential to study the analytical peaks of the interferences and compare them to those of the chrysotile. Kaolinite and kaolin were used in the production of artifacts, especially in vinyl tiles, false ceilings and similar materials. From the spectra analyzed in this study it is understood that the analytical error is due to an inexperienced operator who has not carefully analyzed the frequencies and the spectral peaks present.