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Particle Analysis
Full Particle Identification (FPID):
FPID is a continuation of the OPID analysis. The process begins with an OPID to identify the particles in the analyte list. Then the remaining unidentified material is analyzed by electron microscopy. In many cases infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) or X-ray Diffraction Spectrometry (XRD) is also utilized. This test is designed to identify the majority of materials commonly occurring in indoor environments. The standard analytes included in the FPID include:
- Insulation: fibrous glass and mineral wool
- Cellulose: cotton fibers, plant matter, paper fiber and starches
- Synthetic fibers such as polyester from clothing and nylon from rugs
- Both human and animal hair and skin detritus
- Biologicals such as mold, pollen, diatoms and algae
- Insect fragments, moth scales, dust mites and spider silk
- Asbestos, quartz (sand) and calcite
- Minerals, metals and oxides such as rust
- Construction debris such as gypsum, mortar and wood dust
Results are expressed in particles per cubic meter for air samples and percent for dust and bulk, unless specified.