How many blanks are required for TEM sampling?

The correct answer is that two field blanks and one unopened blank are required for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) sampling. This protocol is established to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the sampling process.

Field blanks are essential because they help to account for any contaminants that may be introduced during the sampling process. By including two field blanks, you can determine whether any asbestos fibers were inadvertently collected from the environment during the sampling procedure. This is critical in establishing the integrity of your results.

The unopened blank serves as a control to establish a baseline for the analytical process. It is not exposed to the environment and thus should reflect the level of detectable fibers without any contamination from the sampling site. This blank helps to calibrate the analysis and ensures that the results obtained from the actual samples can be accurately interpreted in comparison to a known uncontaminated source.

In summary, the combination of two field blanks and one unopened blank is essential for identifying potential contamination and ensuring that the results from the TEM sampling are valid and reliable.