Determining the Cancerogenicity Index of Man-Made Mineral Fibres, MMF

We are an accredited and independent test laboratory with 20 years of experience in this field...

... we provide a classification of man-made mineral fibres with respect to their cancerogenic potential

We test whether MMMF products contain respirable WHO fibres using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) > > read more
We determine the Cancerogenicity Index (CI), applying the BIA 7488 procedure, to determine the potential carcinogenic in accordance with the Gefahrstoffverordnung (Hazardous Substances Ordinance)

What is the Cancerogenicity Index?

The Cancerogenicity Index was defined in TRGS 905 with the purpose of creating a classification of the hazard potential of during the handling of man-made mineral fibres, MMMF containing respirable WHO fibres (glass wool, rock wool, basalt wool, etc.). According to the BIA process 7488, the CI results from the mass contents (in MA%) of Na2O), K2O, CaO, MgO, BaO and B203 less twice the mass content of Al203.

Rasterelektronenmikroskopische Aufnahme von WHO-Fasern in einer Basaltwoll-Probe - Bildbreite ca. 10 µm

WHO fibre in heat insulators

According to the CI as defined in the Gefahrstoffverordnung (Annex I, 1.4.2.1), vitreous mineral fibres are classified as described below, provided their size complies with that of the WHO Fibre: (length> 5µm, diameter < 3 µm, length/diameter ratio > 3 : 1):

Man-made vitreous WHO fibres with a Carcinogenicity Index CI<=30 belong to Hazard class 2 (carcinogenic).
Man-made vitreous WHO fibres with a Carcinogenicity Index CI>30 and CI<40 belong to Hazard class 3 (potentially carcinogenic).
Man-made vitreous WHO fibres with a Carcinogenicity Index CI>=40 are not considered carcinogenic.

The presence of WHO fibres is established by scanning electron microscopy.

TRGS 905

Ggefahrstoffverordnung

Asbestos in asphalt

Natural aggregates (basaltic, gabbro, diabase grit) for road surfaces frequently contain asbestos.
We analyse asphalts according to TRGS 517 and BIA 7487.