THE SOLIDS WE BREATH

The use of chemical microscopy to identify air pollutants is described. This method is usually rapid and sometimes instantaneous. This nondestructive and sensitive (subnanogram) method detects concentrations below one part per million, and identifies the substance in terms of molecular composition, as well as the solid phase in which it appears. The successful use of this tool requires experience and a ready reference to a data bank. This data bank must be organized in terms of microscopically observable parameters which include shape, size, surface homogeneity, color, transparency, refractive indices, birefringence, extinction, and other crystallographic properties such as x-ray powder diffraction data. Recent examples of the application of microscopy to environmental contamination problems are cited.

• Corporate Authors:

  Dun Donnelley Publishing Corporation

  222 South Riverside Plaza
  Chicago, IL  United States  60606
• Authors:
  • McCrone, W C
  • Palenik, S
• Publication Date: 1977-4

Media Info

• Features: Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 64-67
• Serial:
  • Industrial Research
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Dun Donnelley Publishing Corporation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Chemical analysis; Contaminants; Data banks; Microscopy
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00157755
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 13 1977 12:00AM