# Asbestos Analysis

> Spectral identification of three asbestos fibre types - Chrysotile, Amosite, and Crocidolite - in field samples. Proposal submitted to industrial partner for site monitoring applications.

- Canonical URL: https://spectrify.ai/research-pipeline/asbestos-analysis

- Sector: Sector 02 · Environmental & Industrial
- Status: Proposal Sent
- Tags: NIR, Asbestos, Environmental, Safety, Site Monitoring

Current asbestos fibre identification in environmental and demolition site samples requires polarised light microscopy (PLM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) - methods that are time-consuming, require specialised laboratory facilities, and can take days to return results. This turnaround time creates operational risk on active demolition or remediation sites where work must pause pending analysis. NIR spectroscopy can identify the characteristic mineral crystalline structures of the three regulated asbestos fibre types - Chrysotile, Amosite, and Crocidolite - in minutes from prepared field samples.

## What We've Established

### Mineral Fibre NIR Signatures

Each asbestos fibre type produces a distinct NIR absorption pattern driven by its silicate structure and hydroxyl coordination: Chrysotile (serpentine group) shows characteristic Mg–OH absorption at 7,235 cm⁻¹; Amosite and Crocidolite (amphibole group) show distinct iron-hydroxyl bands. These signatures are separable from common non-asbestos fibrous minerals (wollastonite, gypsum) that frequently co-occur in building materials.

### Regulatory Context

The Sri Lanka National Environmental Act and construction sector guidelines require asbestos identification in demolition waste streams. The absence of rapid on-site screening tools means compliance monitoring is largely reactive. A NIR screening device would enable proactive site monitoring with documented, date-stamped scan records.

## Technical Approach

Classification model approach - distinguishing the three regulated asbestos types plus common co-occurring minerals and asbestos-free fibrous materials. Reference samples from a certified asbestos analytical laboratory are required for calibration. Sample preparation protocol for field soil and building material matrices is under development with the prospective industrial partner.

## Where We Stand

A formal proposal covering technical approach, sample requirements, timeline, and pricing has been submitted to the industrial partner. The proposal is under partner review.

## Next Steps

- Obtain proposal confirmation and access to reference fibre standards
- Design a field sample preparation protocol compatible with NIR scanning
- Validate classification performance against PLM reference method on a held-out set
- Explore regulatory pathway for NIR results to be accepted as part of official site monitoring documentation

## Related Projects

- [Pesticide Detection](https://spectrify.ai/research-pipeline/pesticide-detection) (Emails Sent): Field-level residue screening for Diuron, MCPA, and related compounds - targeting EU MRL compliance verification for export-grade produce.
- [Biomarker Detection in Urine](https://spectrify.ai/research-pipeline/biomarker-detection-urine) (Proposal Sent): Non-invasive creatinine and blood detection in urine via NIR spectroscopy - early feasibility research. Proposal submitted to a research partner.

[Research Pipeline](https://spectrify.ai/research-pipeline)