Semi-Quantitative Determination of Asbestiform Amphibole Mineral Concentrations in Western Lake Superior Water Samples

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Abstract
The amphibole mineral, cummingtonite-grunerite, has been used as a tracer for taconite tailings discharged into Western Lake Superior. The discovery of many asbestiform amphibole fibers in the tailings and Western Lake Superior water lead to concern over fiber concentrations in municipal water supplies using this water. This concern was based on the association between human asbestos exposure and increased rates of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and peritoneum. An x-ray diffraction external standard technique has been developed for rapid, inexpensive, semi-quantitative determinations of amphibole mass concentration in water. The average amphibole mass concentrations for different Western Lake Superior water intakes compare very well with the average electron microscope fiber counts for the same samples. Daily amphibole analysis of the Duluth water supply indicates an average amphibole concentration of 0.19 milligrams per liter.