What limitation does Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) have?

The primary limitation of Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) lies in its inability to identify all types of asbestos accurately. While PLM is a widely used technique for the identification of asbestos fibers, it is particularly effective for the more common types, such as chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite. However, it struggles with differentiating some of the less common asbestos types, such as tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite, as well as non-asbestos fibers that may exhibit similar characteristics under the microscope. This can lead to potential misidentifications, making it less reliable for comprehensive asbestos analysis.

The other options, while presenting different aspects related to asbestos analysis, do not correctly capture the limitation associated specifically with PLM. For example, PLM can indeed analyze both airborne and bulk samples, contrary to the implications of restricting its application. Furthermore, while it may have difficulties in identifying certain types of fibers, it fundamentally does provide a means to differentiate between fibers based on their optical properties, making the statement that it fails to differentiate misleading.