IOM's international proficiency testing scheme for asbestos counting enjoys continued success
The Institute of Occupational Medicine's Asbestos Fibre Regular Informal Counting Arrangement (AFRICA) - an international proficiency testing scheme for laboratories that measure airborne asbestos fibre concentrations using the phase contrast optical microscopy counting method - is enjoying continued success and now has 36 members from several countries across Europe and the rest of the world, including Canada, South America, South Africa, Hong Kong and India.
The aim of the AFRICA Scheme is to allow participating laboratories to compare their counting levels with those of other laboratories and with reference counts, in order to assist them in quality control of their counting performances. Managed by the IOM since 1983, the Scheme's operational procedures are similar to the UK Regular Interlaboratory Counting Exchanges (RICE). The operation of the Scheme has been funded by membership fees from participating laboratories since 1992.
Round 45 of the Scheme, which took place between February and June 2011, saw 30 laboratories from 18 different countries participate and counting results were received from all laboratories. 22 of the participating laboratories received 'good' ratings whilst 6 received 'acceptable' ratings. The 2 laboratories that demonstrated an 'unacceptable' rating for counting of asbestos fibres were provided with informed advice for improving their counting procedures and future performance. The overall performance of AFRICA members over the last 10 years is shown in the figure below.
Dr Alan Jones, Senior Consultant and Head of Proficiency Testing at IOM, commented:
"Reliable measurements of asbestos fibre concentrations are an important step in the prevention and control of exposure and thereby the prevention of asbestos-related disease. It is encouraging to see so many laboratories from around the world actively monitoring and working towards improving their fibre counting performances through participation in AFRICA. In the course of running the Scheme over the past 28 years, IOM has made a significant and valued contribution to international consistency in the measurement of asbestos fibre concentrations."
Round 46 of the AFRICA Scheme is now well underway and results will be reported in January 2012. For further information about the Scheme and how to participate, please visit the AFRICA webpage http://www.iom-world.org/research/africa_scheme.php
AFRICA Performance Chart