Development of a polarized microscopic image management system for supporting asbestos qualitative analysis utilizing dispersion staining

This paper describes development of an automated polarized microscopic image management system for supporting qualitative analysis of asbestos. Dispersion staining is a visual observation method. Experts count all particles in the microscope view and also the number of the fibrous asbestos fibers. For supporting this work, we are developing an automated system to ease experts´ burdens for efficient observation. The system takes polarized images using the microscope with an automated polarizer and registers them on the database via on-line process. A prototype system was developed. Its functional performance is also discussed.