Under the Lens

Asbestos Fibers

Magnified penny containing rice grains, human hairs and asbestos fibers.

Anthophyllite

Anthophyllite from the Frank olivine mine in North Carolina, 100 X under cross polarized light.

NIST Tremolite Standard

NIST tremolite standard, 200 X under cross polarized light.

Parachrysotile

Parachrysotile at 400 X under cross polarized light with a 530 nm wave plate.

Parachrysotile

Parachrysotile at 400 X under cross polarized light.

Serpentine Asbestos

This is the same structure as number five, with a 530 nm wave plate. This facilitates observing the undulating sign of elongation of this odd form of chrysotile

Bundles of Serpentine Asbestos

This wooden structure is actually two bundles of serpentine asbestos, with variances in the crystalline structure at the atomic level. The “see through” bundle is close to its angle of extinction. 200 X under cross polarized light.

Chrysotile and Parachrysotile Intergrowth

Although this looks like a paint brush, it’s actually an intergrowth of chrysotile and parachrysotile at 200 X under cross polarized light.

Chrysotile Cluster

Typical chrysotile cluster on an air sample at 15,000 times magnification. Individual fibers are actually scrolls approximately 220 nm in diameter.

Tremolite Bundle

This photomicrograph shows a tremolite bundle at 8000 times magnification. The smaller fibers are clay, and the larger particles are talc. This structure was found on an air test of a cosmetic talc product.

NIST Anthophyllite Standard

Carbonate inclusions in the NIST anthophyllite standard, 200 X under plane polarized light.

NIST Anthophyllite Standard

Carbonate inclusions in the NIST anthophyllite standard, 200 X under cross polarized light with a 530 nm wave plate.

Anthophyllite

TEM photomicrograph of two different morphologies of anthophyllite from talc from upstate New York. 25,000 times magnification.

Anthophyllite and Talc Fiber

TEM micrograph at 20,000 X showing a talc fiber or “ribbon” growing out of anthophyllite. Found in New York talc.

Fibrous Talc

Penny used for scale next to “fibrous talc” from the Arnold pit mine in upstate New York. Under microscopic examination, anthophyllite was found to be the dominant phase.

Cross Fiber Asbestos Vein of Anthophyllite

Cross fiber asbestos vein of anthophyllite in an abandoned prospect in North Carolina.

Chrysotile Bundle

The proverbial needle in the haystack… Chrysotile bundle in a matrix of Attapulgite clay fiber and talc plates. 15,000 X.

Asbestos from Talc

Cluster of anthophyllite fibers, 6000 X.

SAED of Anthophyllite

Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) of anthophyllite from New York talc. The regular array of dots are called reflections, and correlate to the layers of atoms in the crystal known as it’s lattice structure.