NIST HANDBOOK 150-13 

2006 Edition 

National 

Voluntary

Laboratory 

Accreditation 

Program 

AIRBORNE

ASBESTOS

ANALYSIS

Hazel M. Richmond 

National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program 

Standards Services Division 

Technology Services 

September 2006 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary 

National Institute of Standards and Technology 

William A. Jeffrey, Director 
NVLAP AND THE NVLAP LOGO 

The term NVLAP and the NVLAP logo are registered 

marks of the Federal Government, which retains 

exclusive rights to control the use thereof. Permission 

to use the term and symbol (NVLAP logo with 

approved caption) is granted to NVLAP-accredited 

laboratories for the limited purpose of announcing 

their accredited status, and for use on reports that 

describe only testing and calibration within the scope 

of accreditation. NVLAP reserves the right to control 

the quality of the use of the NVLAP term, logo, and 

symbol.
Contents 

Contents .......................................................................................................................................................iii

Foreword.......................................................................................................................................................v

Introduction..................................................................................................................................................vi

1 General information ..............................................................................................................................1

1.1 Scope ...........................................................................................................................................1

1.2 Organization of handbook ...........................................................................................................1

1.3 Program description.....................................................................................................................1

1.4 References ...................................................................................................................................2

1.5 Terms and definitions ..................................................................................................................2

1.6 Program documentation...............................................................................................................4

2 LAP establishment, development and implementation.........................................................................4

3 Accreditation process............................................................................................................................4

3.1 General ........................................................................................................................................4

3.2 Management system review ........................................................................................................5

3.3 On-site assessment.......................................................................................................................5

3.4 Proficiency testing .......................................................................................................................6

4 Management requirements for accreditation.........................................................................................7

4.1 Organization ................................................................................................................................7

4.2 Management system ....................................................................................................................8

4.3 Document control ........................................................................................................................8

4.4 Review of requests, tenders and contracts...................................................................................8

4.5 Subcontracting of tests and calibrations ......................................................................................8

4.6 Purchasing services and supplies.................................................................................................8

4.7 Service to the customer................................................................................................................8

4.8 Complaints...................................................................................................................................9

4.9 Control of nonconforming testing and/or calibration work.........................................................9

4.10 Improvement................................................................................................................................9

4.11 Corrective action .........................................................................................................................9

4.12 Preventive action .........................................................................................................................9

4.13 Control of records........................................................................................................................9

4.14 Internal audits ............................................................................................................................10

4.15 Management reviews.................................................................................................................10

5 Technical requirements for accreditation............................................................................................10

5.1 General ......................................................................................................................................10

5.2 Personnel ...................................................................................................................................11

5.3 Accommodation and environmental conditions ........................................................................12

5.4 Test and calibration methods and method validation ................................................................13

5.5 Equipment..................................................................................................................................13

5.6 Measurement traceability ..........................................................................................................14

5.7 Sampling....................................................................................................................................14

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 iii 
5.8 Handling of test and calibration items.......................................................................................14

5.9 Assuring the quality of test and calibration results....................................................................15

5.10 Reporting the results..................................................................................................................15

6 Additional requirements......................................................................................................................15

Annex A (normative) Documents required in the laboratory .....................................................................16

Annex B (informative) Recommended documents.....................................................................................17

iv NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 
Foreword 

The NIST Handbook 150 publication series sets forth the procedures, requirements, and guidance for the 

accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation 

Program (NVLAP). The series is comprised of the following publications: 

• NIST Handbook 150, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements, which contains the general 

procedures and requirements under which NVLAP operates as an unbiased third-party accreditation 

body; 

• NIST Handbook 150-xx program-specific handbooks, which supplement NIST Handbook 150 by 

providing additional requirements, guidance, and interpretive information applicable to specific 

NVLAP laboratory accreditation programs (LAPs). 

The program-specific handbooks are not stand-alone documents, but rather are companion documents to 

NIST Handbook 150. They tailor the general criteria found in NIST Handbook 150 to the specific tests, 

calibrations, or types of tests or calibrations covered by a LAP. 

NIST Handbook 150-13, NVLAP Airborne Asbestos Analysis, presents the technical requirements and 

guidance for the accreditation of laboratories under the NVLAP Airborne Asbestos Analysis LAP. The 

2006 edition incorporates changes resulting from the release of the newest editions of ISO/IEC 17025, 

General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and NIST Handbook 

150, as well as editorial improvements. The 2006 edition of NIST Handbook 150-13 supersedes and 

replaces the 1995 edition. 

The handbook was revised with the participation of technical experts in the field of airborne asbestos 

testing and was approved by NVLAP. The following main changes have been made to this handbook 

with respect to the previous edition: 

• all references to applicable international guides and standards have been updated; 

• Lab Bulletin LB-7-2002, previously issued for clarification, has been incorporated into this edition of 

the handbook; 

• on-site assessment checklists and the test method selection list are no longer included in order that 

they may be provided as separate documents, which may be updated at different intervals than the 

handbook; 

• the body of the handbook has been restructured to conform with internationally accepted rules for the 

structure and drafting of standards, where appropriate, to promote ease of use and understanding; 

• Annex A (normative) and Annex B (informative) have been added. 

This handbook is also available on the NVLAP web site (http://www.nist.gov/nvlap). 

Questions or comments concerning this handbook should be submitted to NVLAP, National Institute of 

Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899-2140; phone: 

301-975-4016; fax: 301-926-2884; e-mail: nvlap@nist.gov. 

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 v 
Introduction 

The purpose of this handbook is to set out procedures and technical requirements for accreditation by 

NVLAP of laboratories that perform the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Interim Transmission 

Electron Microscopy Analytical Methods―Mandatory and Nonmandatory―and Mandatory Section to 

Determine Completion of Response Actions, as found in 40 CFR, Part 763, Appendix A to Subpart E. 

The technical requirements expressed in this handbook were originally developed by the Surface and 

Microanalysis Science Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Special thanks 

and appreciation are extended to NVLAP Asbestos Program assessors, Thomas Emma, Larry Pierce, and 

Shu-Chun Su, for their technical assistance. 

vi NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 
1 General information 

1.1 Scope 

1.1.1 NIST Handbook 150-13 specifies technical requirements and provides guidance for the 

accreditation of laboratories that provide analyses under the NVLAP Airborne Asbestos Analysis 

Laboratory Accreditation Program (TEM Program). This handbook supplements the NVLAP procedures 

and general requirements found in NIST Handbook 150, by tailoring the general criteria found in NIST 

Handbook 150 to the specific test method covered by the TEM Program. 

1.1.2 NIST Handbook 150, this handbook, and their respective checklists (see 1.6) constitute the 

collective body of requirements that must be met by a laboratory seeking NVLAP accreditation for the 

TEM Program. 

1.1.3 This handbook is intended for information and use by accredited TEM laboratories, assessors 

conducting on-site assessments, laboratories seeking accreditation, other laboratory accreditation systems, 

users of laboratory services, and others needing information on the requirements for accreditation under 

the TEM Program. 

1.1.4 Any laboratory (including commercial, manufacturer, university, or federal, state, or local 

government laboratory) that performs the TEM test method may apply for NVLAP accreditation.

1.2 Organization of handbook 

The numbering and titles of the first five clauses of this handbook match those of NIST Handbook 150. 

The primary subclauses in clauses 4 and 5 (e.g., 4.1, 4.2, etc.) are also numbered and titled to correspond 

with those of NIST Handbook 150, even when there are no requirements additional to those in NIST 

Handbook 150. 

Annex A provides a list of documents that are required to be available in a laboratory accredited under the 

TEM Program. It forms a normative part of this handbook, meaning that it contains provisions to which 

it is necessary to conform in order to claim compliance with the handbook requirements. 

Annex B provides a list of recommended documents that contain information on verified analysis, spot 

size measurement, k-factor measurement, quality assurance, statistical analysis, and control charts. 

1.3 Program description 

1.3.1 The purpose of the NVLAP Airborne Asbestos Analysis program is to accredit testing 

laboratories to provide assurance that they are competent to identify asbestos using transmission electron 

microscopy (TEM). 

1.3.2 Public Law 99-519, Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986, referred to as AHERA, 

requires public and private non-profit primary and secondary schools to inspect their buildings for 

asbestos-containing building materials. AHERA states that laboratories that analyze TEM asbestos air 

samples taken from schools are required to be accredited by NVLAP. 

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 1 
1.3.3 NVLAP accredits laboratories to the interim test method developed by the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, as found in 40 CFR, Part 763, Subpart E, Appendix A, Interim Transmission Electron 

Microscopy Analytical Methods—Mandatory and Nonmandatory—and Mandatory Section to Determine 

Completion of Response Actions.

1.4 References 

The following documents are referenced in this handbook. For dated references, only the edition cited 

applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any 

amendments) shall apply within one year of publication or within another time limit specified by 

regulations or other requirement documents. 

— NIST Handbook 150, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements 

― U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Interim Transmission Electron Microscopy Analytical 

Methods—Mandatory and Nonmandatory—and Mandatory Section to Determine Completion of 

Response Actions, 40 CFR, Part 763, Subpart E, Appendix A 

1.5 Terms and definitions 

For the purposes of this handbook, the terms and definitions given in NIST Handbook 150 and the 

following apply: 

1.5.1 

AEM 

Analytical electron microscope. 

1.5.2 

AHERA 

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986, Public Law 99-519. 

1.5.3 

analytical sensitivity 

Airborne asbestos concentration represented by each fiber counted under the electron microscope and is 

determined by the air volume collected and the proportion of the filter examined. 

1.5.4 

asbestos 

A commercial term applied to the asbestiform varieties of six different minerals. The asbestos types are 

chrysotile (asbestiform serpentine), amosite (asbestiform grunerite), crocidolite (asbestiform riebeckite), 

and asbestiform anthophyllite, asbestiform tremolite, and asbestiform actinolite. The properties of 

asbestos that caused it to be widely used commercially are: 1) its ability to be separated into long, thin, 

flexible fibers; 2) high tensile strength; 3) low thermal and electrical conductivity; 4) high mechanical and 

chemical durability; and 5) high heat resistance. 

1.5.5 

ASTM International 

Originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials. 

2 NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 
1.5.6 

bias

A systematic error characterized by a consistent (nonrandom) measurement error. 

1.5.7 

control chart 

A graphical plot of test results with respect to time or sequence of measurement, together with limits 

within which they are expected to lie when the system is in a state of statistical control. 

1.5.8 

detection limit 

The smallest concentration/amount of some component of interest that can be measured using a particular 

technique with a stated level of confidence. 

1.5.9 

EDXA

Energy dispersive x-ray analysis. 

1.5.10 

field blanks

Filters that are processed by removing the cassette cap for not more than 30 seconds before sampling. 

1.5.11 

filter lot blank

An unopened cassette with filter from the filter supplier. 

1.5.12 

HEPA filter

High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. 

1.5.13 

laboratory blank

An unused filter that is exposed in the clean area while a sample set of filters are prepared. 

1.5.14 

sealed blank

A filter of the same filter lot as those used for sampling. The sealed blank is carried with sample series 

filters through whole process, but is not opened during sampling operations. 

1.5.15 

SRM (NIST Standard Reference Material©) 

A reference material certified and distributed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. 

1.5.16 

STEM 

Scanning transmission electron microscope. 

1.5.17 

TEM

Analytical transmission electron microscope. 

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 3 
1.6 Program documentation 

1.6.1 General

Assessors use NVLAP checklists to ensure that each laboratory receives an assessment comparable to that 

received by others. Checklists assist assessors in documenting the assessment to the NVLAP 

requirements found in NIST Handbook 150, this handbook, and the checklists themselves. Checklists 

contain definitive statements or questions about all aspects of the NVLAP criteria for accreditation, and 

form part of the On-Site Assessment Report (see NIST Handbook 150). The current version of each 

checklist is available on the NVLAP web site <http://www.nist.gov/nvlap>. 

1.6.2 NIST Handbook 150 Checklist 

All NVLAP programs use the NIST Handbook 150 Checklist (formerly called the General Operations 

Checklist), which contains the requirements published in NIST Handbook 150. The checklist items are 

numbered to correspond to clauses 4 and 5 and annexes A and B of NIST Handbook 150. 

1.6.3 NIST Handbook 150-13 Checklist 

The NIST Handbook 150-13 Checklist (also referred to as the TEM Program-Specific Checklist) 

addresses the requirements specific to airborne asbestos analysis. The checklist items are numbered to 

correspond to clauses 3, 4, and 5 of this handbook and contain requirements expressed at a more detailed 

level than found in this handbook. 

1.6.4 NVLAP Lab Bulletins 

NVLAP Lab Bulletins are issued to laboratories and assessors, when needed, to clarify program-specific 

requirements and to provide information about program additions and changes. 

2 LAP establishment, development and implementation 

This clause contains no information additional to that provided in NIST Handbook 150, clause 2. 

3 Accreditation process 

3.1 General 

3.1.1 An overview of the laboratory accreditation process is provided in NIST Handbook 150, clause 3, 

and includes information pertaining to application for accreditation; on-site assessment; proficiency 

testing; accreditation decision; granting accreditation; renewal of accreditation; changes to scope of 

accreditation; monitoring visits; and suspension, denial, revocation, and voluntary termination of 

accreditation. 

3.1.2 The NVLAP assessment process consists of a NVLAP review of the application and management 

system documentation, an on-site assessment, and proficiency testing. 

4 NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 
3.2 Management system review 

3.2.1 Prior to applying to NVLAP for accreditation, a laboratory shall have a fully implemented 

management system. 

3.2.2 The NVLAP assessor assigned to conduct the on-site assessment will request a copy of the 

laboratory’s management system manual and relevant documented procedures in advance of the 

assessment to reduce time at the laboratory. 

3.2.3 The assessor will review all relevant management system documentation for conformity with 

NVLAP requirements, including the requirements of NIST Handbook 150 and this handbook. During 

this review, the assessor may request additional management system documents and/or records, which 

will be returned upon request. 

3.3 On-site assessment 

3.3.1 An on-site assessment typically takes place over a two- to three-day period. During the 

assessment the laboratory personnel shall be prepared to conduct test demonstrations, have equipment in 

good working order, and be ready for examination according to the requirements identified in this 

handbook, NIST Handbook 150, and the laboratory’s management system manual. The assessor will 

need time and workspace to complete assessment documentation while at the laboratory and will try to 

minimize disruption to the normal daily routine at the laboratory. 

3.3.2 An opening meeting is conducted with the laboratory manager to explain the purpose of the onsite visit and to discuss the schedule for the day(s). At the discretion of the laboratory manager, other 

staff may also attend the meeting. 

3.3.3 The assessor reviews laboratory documentation not provided before the assessment. At least one 

laboratory staff member shall be available to answer questions. The assessor usually does not ask to 

remove any laboratory documents or records from the laboratory premises. 

3.3.4 The results of proficiency testing shall be made available to the assessor for use during the on-site 

assessment. 

3.3.5 The assessor does not need to access employee information that may be considered sensitive or 

private such as salary, medical information, or performance reviews for work done outside the scope of 

the laboratory’s accreditation. However, the NVLAP assessor checks job descriptions, resumes, and 

technical performance reviews. At the discretion of the laboratory, a member of its human resources 

department may be present during the review of personnel information. 

3.3.6 The assessor examines equipment and facilities and observes the demonstration of selected 

procedures by appropriate personnel assigned to conduct the tests, and interviews those personnel. The 

demonstrations requested may be selective or all-inclusive, and shall include sample test material(s), 

preparation devices, establishment of test conditions and the setup/use of major equipment. The assessor 

may also provide a proficiency test sample and request a specific demonstration. 

3.3.7 The assessor completes an On-Site Assessment Report, which clearly lists all nonconformities 

and comments (both positive and negative). 

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 5 
3.3.8 The assessor conducts a closing meeting, attended by appropriate laboratory personnel, to discuss 

the findings, including comments and nonconformities. The first page of the report shall be signed by the 

assessor and the laboratory’s Authorized Representative to acknowledge the discussion, but does not 

necessarily indicate agreement; appeals may be made through NVLAP. 

3.3.9 The information obtained by the assessor is held in the strictest confidence. 

3.4 Proficiency testing 

3.4.1 General 

Proficiency test materials are chosen to test the laboratory’s ability to follow the test method and to 

achieve proper accuracy, precision, and detection limits. Each laboratory will be sent test materials, data 

sheets, and instructions for performing the test and reporting the results. The test shall be conducted in 

accordance with the specific test method using the laboratory’s normal operating procedures. 

A proficiency test is not required for initial accreditation, but laboratories shall participate in rounds of 

testing as scheduled by NVLAP. 

3.4.2 Types of proficiency testing 

Proficiency testing may involve materials or artifacts that must be returned to NVLAP. These materials 

shall be protected from damage both in the laboratory and during shipment to NVLAP or its designated 

contractor. Examples of such materials and artifacts are: filters, grids, photographs, and data sheets. 

These materials may be used to determine testing performance for specific subparts of the test method. 

Unless otherwise instructed, laboratories may keep the proficiency testing materials for use as in-house 

instructional materials. 

3.4.3 Analysis and reporting 

3.4.3.1 All laboratory analysts, including those in sub-facilities (see 4.1.2 and 4.1.3), shall participate in 

proficiency testing. Each analyst shall separately analyze, record, and report test results. The laboratory 

shall report one result to NVLAP. The test results shall be used for inter-analyst comparisons and entered 

into the management system records. 

3.4.3.2 Proficiency testing shall not be contracted out to another laboratory. 

NOTE A laboratory that subcontracts proficiency testing to another laboratory will be immediately suspended for 

not participating in the test round and risks revocation of its accreditation (see 3.4.4.3). 

3.4.3.3 Special instructions shall be followed, as they are designed to ensure uniformity in procedures 

among proficiency testing participants. 

3.4.3.4 Completed data sheets shall be returned to NVLAP or its designated contractor for analysis by the 

date specified on the data sheets. Failure to return the proficiency testing data sheets by the deadline will 

result in penalties, which may include failing that round. 

3.4.3.5 NVLAP will report proficiency test performance to the participants in appropriate documents. 

The identity and performance of individual laboratories will remain confidential. Any analytical issues 

indicated by proficiency testing shall be discussed with appropriate laboratory personnel, who shall then 

6 NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 
be responsible for developing and implementing plans for resolving the issues. The satisfactory 

resolution of proficiency testing nonconformities is required for accreditation. 

3.4.4 Proficiency testing nonconformities

3.4.4.1 If an accredited laboratory fails a round of proficiency testing, it shall do the following to 

maintain its accreditation: 

a) provide to NVLAP within 30 days of notification of failure, detailed, written documentation that 

includes an analysis of why the laboratory failed the test, and what corrective action(s) it has taken 

(analyst training, revised procedures, quality assurance activities, etc.) to resolve the analytical 

problem(s); 

b) provide documentation to show that the corrective action(s) has been effectively implemented; 

c) pass the next round of proficiency testing. 

3.4.4.2 If an accredited laboratory fails any two rounds of proficiency testing within a set of three 

consecutive rounds, its accreditation will be immediately suspended. To regain accreditation, the 

laboratory may undergo a complete on-site assessment to determine the cause of the nonconformities, and 

within 30 days provide documentation to NVLAP to demonstrate that effective corrective actions have 

been implemented. Failure to perform satisfactorily at the on-site assessment will result in continued 

suspension of the accreditation. 

The full cost of any on-site assessment shall be paid in advance. NVLAP staff will make every effort to 

expedite these extraordinary assessments to give a laboratory every reasonable opportunity to demonstrate 

competence to perform the test method and regain accreditation. 

3.4.4.3 Failure to participate in a round of proficiency testing will result in immediate suspension of 

accreditation. To have accreditation reinstated, the laboratory shall pass the next regularly scheduled 

round of proficiency testing. 

4 Management requirements for accreditation 

4.1 Organization 

4.1.1 The laboratory shall be organized so that staff members are not subjected to undue pressure or 

inducement that might influence their judgment or the results of their work. 

4.1.2 A laboratory operating as a sub-facility shall be technically dependent on the main facility. The 

main facility shall provide technical management and supervision in accordance with the following 

requirements. 

a) The nature, scope, and frequency of on-site quality assurance reviews by the main facility quality 

manager shall be clearly defined in the management system and be appropriate for the nature and 

scope of work performed by the sub-facility. 

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 7 
b) Copies of all permanent quality assurance and personnel records shall be retained at the main 

facility. 

c) Quality assurance data from each sub-facility shall be frequently and routinely compared both to 

the main facility’s data and data from other sub-facilities. 

d) Records of such comparisons shall be retained in quality assurance records along with actions taken 

to evaluate and resolve nonconformities. 

4.1.3 NVLAP accreditation of a laboratory main facility does not extend to accreditation of subfacilities unless the sub-facilities have been evaluated separately. These facilities are uniquely identified 

in the NVLAP accreditation documents. 

4.2 Management system 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

4.3 Document control 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

4.4 Review of requests, tenders and contracts 

4.4.1 The laboratory shall ensure that the contract review includes a determination of the client’s need 

for an AHERA-compliant test. 

4.4.2 Non-AHERA work shall meet NVLAP and client requirements. 

4.5 Subcontracting of tests and calibrations 

4.5.1 A laboratory that subcontracts its AHERA work shall ensure that the subcontracted laboratory is 

accredited by NVLAP for airborne asbestos analysis. [See also NIST Handbook 150, 5.10.2 b) and 

5.10.6]. 

4.5.2 A NVLAP-accredited laboratory shall not represent test data produced at any non-accredited subfacility as having been produced by an accredited laboratory. 

4.6 Purchasing services and supplies 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

4.7 Service to the customer 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

8 NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 
4.8 Complaints 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

4.9 Control of nonconforming testing and/or calibration work 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

4.10 Improvement 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

4.11 Corrective action 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

4.12 Preventive action 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

4.13 Control of records 

The period of retention shall be three years; however, a longer period of retention may be required by the 

client, by regulation, or by the laboratory’s own procedures. The records shall be stored in a logical 

fashion allowing retrieval within one working day. The records to be maintained include: 

 

a) personnel records including operator characterization; 

b) sample custody records; 

c) original data collected by the analyst; 

d) contamination monitoring data; 

e) calibration and verification data; 

f) data and results of quality control; 

g) facility, equipment and maintenance records; 

h) test reports. 

NOTE For more information on records, see the NIST Handbook 150-13 Checklist.

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 9 
4.14 Internal audits 

4.14.1 The internal audit shall cover compliance with NVLAP, laboratory management system, 

regulatory, contractual, and testing requirements. 

4.14.2 An applicant laboratory shall conduct at least one complete internal audit prior to the first on-site 

assessment. The records will be reviewed by the NVLAP assessor before or during the on-site 

assessment visit. 

4.14.3 For accredited laboratories, internal audit reports conducted since the previous on-site assessment 

shall be made available for review. 

4.14.4 Internal audits are separate and distinct from management reviews (see 4.15). 

4.15 Management reviews 

4.15.1 Periodic reviews of the management system shall reflect adherence to NVLAP requirements and 

the laboratory’s quality objectives. 

4.15.2 Management reviews shall review all nonconformities and may reflect positive aspects of the 

management system. 

4.15.3 An applicant laboratory shall perform at least one complete management review prior to the first 

on-site assessment. The records will be reviewed by the NVLAP assessor before or during the on-site 

assessment visit. 

4.15.4 The report of the management review shall be available during the NVLAP on-site assessment. 

5 Technical requirements for accreditation 

5.1 General 

5.1.1 The laboratory shall maintain and summarize all of the quality assurance activities each month 

including: 

a) contamination checks; 

b) measurement uncertainty for each analyst and for the laboratory; 

c) interlaboratory and intermicroscope analyses; 

d) sampling precision determined by filter reanalysis; 

e) calibrations; 

f) sample custody; 

10 NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 
g) problems, corrective actions and nonconformity corrections. 

5.1.2 The laboratory’s quality assurance analyses shall represent at least 10 % of the total number of 

analyses (including all analyses where the AHERA protocol is used). The value of 10 % is a minimum 

value that applies to a laboratory that has: 

a) trained analysts; 

b) laboratory calibrations, contamination checks and other management system components 

statistically characterized and in a state-of-control; 

c) a high frequency of analyses. 

5.1.3 For laboratories not fitting the criteria in 5.1.2, the quality assurance analyses shall be a higher 

percentage of the total number of TEM asbestos analyses performed. 

5.1.4 The quality assurance checks shall be performed routinely, covering all time periods, sample 

types, instruments, tasks and personnel. The laboratory shall select samples for quality assurance checks 

and when possible, the checks on personnel performance shall be conducted without their prior 

knowledge. 

5.1.5 The laboratory management shall foster an environment conducive to quality work. 

5.1.6 The most recent documents specified in the NIST Handbook 150-13 Checklist shall be available 

as references in maintaining the laboratory’s management system. 

5.2 Personnel 

5.2.1 Analytical results obtained by new staff members shall be checked by an analyst whose 

performance has been demonstrated to be acceptable, or by using an independent technique, until the new 

staff member demonstrates the required level of performance. Verified asbestos analysis status is 

required to evaluate the performance of the analyst (see NIST Handbook 150-13 Checklist). The 

laboratory shall establish and document performance criteria to determine when a new analyst is qualified 

to work independently. 

5.2.2 Technical supervisors shall be qualified to conduct analytical electron microscope (AEM) studies 

and apply AEM to crystalline materials, and shall be knowledgeable in the field of asbestos analysis, 

including procedures for sample handling, preparation, analysis, storage, disposal, and contamination 

monitoring. 

5.2.3 Technical supervisors shall be sufficiently familiar with quality control and statistical analysis to 

present laboratory data in a meaningful way. 

5.2.4 An AEM analyst(s) shall follow the test method, including accurately finding and analyzing 

fibrous materials, measuring the pertinent physical properties on the AEM, drawing proper conclusions 

from these data, and knowing when and where to obtain aid in the analysis of the samples as prescribed 

by the quality manual or other established laboratory procedure. 

5.2.5 All analysts shall be tested routinely to evaluate their performance. Test results shall be recorded 

in the personnel folder, or equivalent, of each staff member and be available during NVLAP assessments. 

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 11 
5.2.6 AEM analysts and technical supervisors shall participate in an appropriate form of continuing 

education, such as formal coursework, in-house education, and scientific or technical meetings, and have 

access to journals that describe advances in the field of electron microscopy and/or asbestos analysis. The 

laboratory shall have a written description of its criteria for successful completion of its training program. 

5.2.7 The laboratory will be responsible for demonstrating staff competence to analyze asbestos 

samples following the practice outlined in its quality documentation. 

5.2.8 Staff members involved in the analysis of samples will be responsible for demonstrating 

competence, as required, during an on-site assessment. In particular, analysts shall be able to demonstrate 

the ability to use and interpret results from the AEM in imaging, diffraction, and x-ray analysis modes, to 

identify the various types of asbestos, and to differentiate asbestos from non-asbestos fibers. 

5.2.9 All personnel shall be instructed in contamination detection and prevention. 

5.3 Accommodation and environmental conditions 

5.3.1 Laboratory facilities 

5.3.1.1 The laboratory shall have the following facilities necessary to analyze airborne asbestos under 

safe working conditions: 

a) a clean room or clean areas for sample preparation and handling that is separate from bulk asbestos, 

and is equipped with class 100 (or cleaner) HEPA-filtered air under positive pressure and an 

exhaust hood for the safe use of filter dissolution reagents; 

b) an electron microscopy facility; 

c) a room or area for filter and grid storage separate from bulk asbestos or other sources of 

contamination. 

5.3.1.2 Safe working conditions shall be maintained, including the safe handling and storage of asbestos 

and filter-dissolving reagents, such as chloroform, dimethyl formamide, acetone, acetic acid, etc. 

5.3.2 Contamination control

5.3.2.1 Preventing contamination is critical in the analysis of asbestos in air, which typically involves 

analyzing nano- or pico-gram quantities of asbestos. No statistically significant contamination of work 

areas, personnel, instrumentation, or materials used for preparation or analysis of air filter samples shall 

be tolerated. Laboratories shall have written procedures for the prevention, monitoring, and control of 

contamination of filters and grids, and for the systematic checking for possible sources of contamination, 

if contamination is detected. The procedures shall include the checking of all work areas, 

instrumentation, and materials used in the preparation and analysis of air filter samples. 

Work areas, personnel, instrumentation, and materials used for the preparation and analysis of bulk 

materials that contain asbestos are a potential source of contamination. The probability of crosscontamination requires that work areas, personnel, instrumentation, and materials be kept completely 

separate from those used for the preparation and analysis of air filter samples. Personnel who have 

worked with bulk samples shall not subsequently be allowed to work with air filter samples on the same 

12 NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 
day. It is acceptable, however, for personnel to work on bulk samples after having worked with air 

samples. All reagents shall be checked for asbestos contamination prior to use for sample preparation. 

5.3.2.2 The management system shall outline the frequency and timing of asbestos contamination checks 

of blank materials, which commonly consist of filters that have not been used for sampling, but can also 

include carbon film grids, or other items appropriate for detecting asbestos contamination. Filter blanks 

include filter lot blanks, sealed blanks, field blanks and laboratory blanks. 

5.3.2.3 The laboratory blanks shall be obtained from a lot of filters that has been shown not to be 

contaminated. 

5.3.2.4 Laboratory blanks shall be analyzed on a routine basis, but with increased frequency if 

contamination is discovered and corrected. At a minimum: 

a) one laboratory blank shall be prepared for every sample set from a site or for 10 % of the samples 

(whichever is greater); 

b) a laboratory blank shall be analyzed after the analysis of 25 samples, or when the average count for 

a full set of filters is found to be above 70 structures/mm2

; 

c) a laboratory blank shall be prepared and analyzed after cleaning or servicing the clean room or 

clean area; 

d) field and sealed blanks shall be prepared with each set of samples and shall be analyzed when the 

full indoor/outdoor analysis is performed. 

5.4 Test and calibration methods and method validation 

The NVLAP requirement for grid square overloading criteria is 10 % coverage. Laboratories are required 

to have written procedures for examining a grid square and for counting and analyzing particles. Among 

the rejection criteria are particle loading exceeding > 10 % by area and uneven particle loading. For 

NVLAP TEM laboratories, the 10 % criterion shall be written into their procedures, and the laboratories 

will be assessed to the 10 % requirement. 

The NVLAP requirement was written after careful study of AHERA. In the case of the criterion for 

acceptance/rejection of loaded grid squares, the technical experts at NIST decided that 25 % coverage 

would allow asbestos structures to be obscured, so a lower coverage of 10 % was adopted as the NVLAP 

requirement. 

5.5 Equipment 

The laboratory shall be equipped with a clean room or area, low temperature plasma asher, electron 

microscope, specific document references, etc., which are specified in-depth in the NIST Handbook 

150-13 Checklist. 

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 13 
5.6 Measurement traceability 

The laboratory shall have specific procedures in its management system documentation for measurement 

traceability. See the NIST Handbook 150-13 Checklist for specific requirements. 

It is highly recommended that NIST Standard Reference Materials, or other appropriate reference 

materials for asbestos, be used to achieve traceability. 

5.7 Sampling 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

5.8 Handling of test and calibration items 

5.8.1 The laboratory shall have a sample log-in system that includes the following documentation: 

a) date of receipt; 

b) identity of the client; 

c) unique identification for the sample; 

d) air volume pulled through the sample; 

e) filter pore size; 

f) condition of the samples; 

g) acceptance or rejection of the samples. 

5.8.2 The laboratory shall have written criteria for acceptance or rejection of filter cassettes. 

5.8.3 The laboratory shall have a documented chain-of-custody system by which the following is 

recorded: 

a) location of sample; 

b) a listing of personnel who have handled or worked with the sample; 

c) a listing of what has been done to the sample. 

5.8.4 The laboratory shall: 

a) store the unused portions of filters in their cassettes for at least 30 days; 

b) store all prepared grids (even in not analyzed) for at least three years; 

c) store the filters and grids in a logical fashion so that specified samples can be retrieved in a timely 

manner. 

14 NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 
5.9 Assuring the quality of test and calibration results 

There are no requirements additional to those set forth in NIST Handbook 150. 

5.10 Reporting the results 

5.10.1 Test reports shall include the following information for each sample set: 

a) the area of the filter analyzed; 

b) volume of air sampled (with reference to sampling data sheet); 

c) analytical sensitivity used for the analysis; 

d) number of total asbestos structures and number of structures by asbestos type (chrysotile, 

grunerite, riebeckite, anthophyllite, tremolite, or actinolite); 

e) concentration in asbestos structures/mm2

 of filter and asbestos structures/cm3 of air for total 

asbestos structures, and with data broken down by size (≥ 0.5 μm to < 5 μm), and by asbestos 

type; 

f) statement of analytical uncertainty; 

g) micrograph number of any recorded diffraction patterns; 

h) copy of AEM analysis data record with analyst's signature or initials; 

i) descriptions of any departures from the test method. 

5.10.2 The following additional information shall be supplied if asbestos abatement clearance is 

determined to be necessary: 

a) calculation formulas; 

b) all calculation variables and constants; 

c) all calculation results. 

6 Additional requirements 

There are no additional requirements beyond NIST Handbook 150 and its associated normative annexes, 

and any other normative references previously cited in this handbook. 

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 15 
Annex A 

(normative) 

Documents required in the laboratory 

The following documents shall be available at the laboratory: 

a) NIST Handbook 150, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements; 

b) NIST Handbook 150-13, NVLAP Airborne Asbestos Analysis; 

c) U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA), Interim Transmission Electron Microscopy 

Analytical Methods–Mandatory and Nonmandatory–and Mandatory Section to Determine 

Completion of Response Actions, Appendix A to Subpart B, 40 CFR Part 763, October 1987, or the 

current U.S. EPA AEM method for the determination of completion of response actions; 

d) Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools; Final Rule and Notice, 40 CFR, Part 763, Subpart E; 

e) General references on analytical electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, asbestos 

analysis, and crystallography; 

f) AEM manufacturer’s operations manual; 

g) Multichannel analyzer manufacturer’s operations manual. 

16 NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 
Annex B 

(informative) 

Recommended documents 

It is recommended that the following documents be available in the laboratory for additional information 

on the topics listed below. 

a) For verified analysis: 

 — E. B. Steel and J. A. Small, “Accuracy of Transmission Electron Microscopy for the Analysis of 

Asbestos in Ambient Environments,” Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 57, 1985, pp. 209-213. 

 — S. Turner and E. B. Steel, “Analysis of Transmission Electron Microscopy Analysis of Asbestos 

on Filters: Interlaboratory Study,” Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 63, 1991, pp. 868-872. 

 — S. Turner and E. B. Steel, NISTIR 5351, Airborne Asbestos Method: Standard Test Method for 

Verified Analysis of Asbestos by Transmission Electron Microscopy – Version 2.0, 1994. 

b) For spot size measurement: 

 — D. B. Williams, Practical Analytical Electron Microscopy in Material Science, Philips 

Electronics Instruments, Inc., Mahwah, NJ, 1984, pp. 34-35 (for TEM and STEM mode). 

 — D. B. Williams, “Standardized Definitions of X-ray Analysis Performance Criteria in the AEM,” 

in A. D. Romig and W. F. Chambers, (ed.) Microbeam Analysis 1986, San Francisco Press, San 

Francisco, CA, 1986, pp. 443-448 (for TEM mode). 

 — J. I. Goldstein, et al., Scanning Electron Microscopy in Materials Science, Plenum Press, New 

York, 1981, p. 48 (for STEM mode). 

c) For k-factor measurement: 

 — D. C. Joy, A. D. Romig, J. I. Goldstein, Introduction to Analytical Electron Microscopy, Plenum 

Press, New York, 1986. 

 — D. B. Williams, Practical Analytical Electron Microscopy in Materials Science, Philips 

Electronics Instruments, Inc., Mahwah, NJ, 1984. 

d) For quality assurance: 

 — J. K. Taylor, Quality Assurance of Chemical Measurements, Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, MI, 

1987. 

e) For statistical analysis: 

 — M. G. Natrella, Experimental Statistics, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1966. 

NIST Handbook 150-13:2006 17 
f) For control charts: 

 — Manual on Presentation of Data and Control Chart Analysis, ASTM International, Philadelphia, 

2002. 

 — Reference data on the crystallography and chemical composition of minerals that analytically 

interfere with the regulated asbestos minerals. 

18 NIST Handbook 150-13:2006