Steven Compton, Ph.D.

Steven is one of MVA’s executive directors and project leaders, in charge of client interactions, report writing and review. He is a physicist with experience in materials science, microscopy, industrial hygiene and environmental forensics. He specializes in identification of unknown material for general characterization or comparison to a known material of interest.

Steven is an expert in microanalysis of asbestos, carbon black, and fly ash while focusing on the analysis and characterization of both airborne and settled dust and debris.

EDUCATION:

• Ph.D., Physics, University of Georgia, 2009
• B.S., Physics, University of Georgia, 2003
• Computer Science Certificate, University of Georgia

PUBLICATIONS:

• S. P. Compton and J. R. Millette, “Quantification of Amphibole in Chrysotile Asbestos-Containing Products,” in Asbestos and Other Elongate Mineral Particles – New and Continuing Challenges in the 21st Century (STP1632), ed. J. R. Millette and J. S. Webber (West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International, 2021), 341-363. http://doi.org/10.1520/STP163220200054
• S. P. Compton and M. R. Underwood, “Asbestos Fiber Release Studies Using a Constructed Simulation Chamber,” in Asbestos and Other Elongate Mineral Particles – New and Continuing Challenges in the 21st Century (STP1632), ed. J. R. Millette and J. S. Webber (West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International, 2021), 91-115. http://doi.org/10.1520/STP163220200065
• J. R. Millette, S. Compton, and C. DePasquale, “Microscopy in the Investigation of Asbestos-Containing Friction Products,” The Microscope, 68 (3/4), pp 111 – 131 (2020) [Released in December 2021]
• J. R. Millette, S. Compton, and C. DePasquale, “Microscopical Analyses of Asbestos-Containing Fibrous Adhesive,” The Microscope, 68 (2), pp 71 – 79 (2020) [Released in April 2021]
• J. R. Millette, S. Compton, and C. DePasquale, “Microscopical Analyses of Asbestos-Containing Dental Tape,” The Microscope, 67 (3), pp 99 – 109 (2019)
• S. Compton, “TEM Quantification of Amphibole in Asbestos Containing Materials: A Summary of Data 20 years in the Making,” Microscopy and Microanalysis 24 (S1), p
  1184-1185 (2018)
• J. R. Millette, W. E. Ewing, C. DePasquale, and S. P. Compton, “Asbestos- Containing Materials Associated with Steam Locomotives and Railroad Equipment,” The Microscope, 66 (4), pp 147 – 156 (2018)
• S. P. Compton, “A Novel TEM Screen Pattern for Fiber Counting,” The Microscope, 66 (4), pp 181 – 182 (2018)
• A. F. Oberta, L.Poye and S. P. Compton, “Releasability of asbestos fibers from weathered roof cement, ” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 15:6, 466-473, (2018) DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1448401
• J. R. Millette, S. P. Compton and C. DePasquale, “Microscopical Analyses of Asbestos-Cement Pipe and Board,” The Microscope, 66 (1), pp 3 – 20 (2018)
• J. R. Millette and S. P. Compton, “Analysis of Vermiculite for Asbestos and Screening for Vermiculite from Libby, Montana,” The Microscope 63 (2), p 59-75 (2015).
• M. R. Cavaliere and S. P. Compton, “Nanoparticle Characterization and Analysis of Airborne Titanium Dioxide in Powdered Cosmetics,” Tech. Proc. 2013 NSTI Nanotech Conference, Vol. 3 (5), p 481-484 (2013).
• S. P. Compton and J. R. Millette, “Airborne Asbestos Exposure from Gooch Fiber Use,” The Microscope 60 (4), p 165-170 (2012).
• J. R. Millette, S. Compton, W. L. Turner Jr., S. M. Hays, S. Kenoyer, W. B. Hill and P. S. Chepaitis, “Characterization of Coal Ash Including Fly Ash Particles,” The Microscope 60 (2), p 73-84 (2012).
• S. Compton and M. Cavaliere, “Microscopical Analysis of Consumer Products Containing Carbon Nanotubes: Determining Potential Airborne Release,” Microscopy and Microanalysis 17 (S2), p 1556-1557 (2011).
• J. Millette, H. Rook, and S. Compton, “Application of ASTM Standard Practice D6602 in the Investigation of Outdoor Environmental Surface Particulate Including Darkening Agents,” Journal of ASTM International, Vol. 8, Issue 9 (2011).

PRESENTATIONS:

• “Evaluation of Friction Materials for Asbestos and Investigation of Fiber Release,” S. P. Compton, ASTM Johnson Conference, Burlington, VT, 03 August 2017.
• “Comparative HRTEM Examination of Carbon Black and Soot Structures,” S. Compton and J. Spry, Nanotech 2017, Washington, DC, 17 May 2017.
• “Resuspension of Settled Asbestos Dust – A Review of Exposure Assessments Related to Cleaning Asbestos Dust and Laundering Asbestos Contaminated Clothing,” S. Compton, EIA National Conference, Orlando, FL, 27 March 2017.
• “Encapsulation Within Asbestos-Containing Materials: Fact or Myth?,” S. Compton, ASTM Beard Conference, San Antonio, TX, 28 January 2016.
• “Comparison of Erionite from Different Locations by Scanning Electron Microscopy,” S. Compton, ASTM Symposium on Natural Occurrences of Asbestos, Anaheim, CA, 30 April 2015.
• “Carbon Nanotubes: The Standard ASTM is Developing to Address the Emerging Threat,” S. P. Compton, ASTM Johnson Conference, Burlington, VT, 22 July 2014.
• “Aerosolization of Carbon Nanotubes for the Development of Reference Air Samples,” M. Cavaliere, S. Compton, Nanotech Conference, Washington, DC, June 2014.
• “Environmental Forensics: Solving Cases through Physics-Based Critical Thinking and Microscopy,” S. Compton, University of Georgia – Physics Awards Ceremony, Athens, GA, 25 April 2013.
• “A Case Study of Asbestos Exposure in the Laboratory,” S. P. Compton, ASTM Johnson Conference, Burlington, VT, 28 July 2011.
• “Using Aqueous Elutriation to Isolate Respirable Fractions of Asbestos Fibers from Talc,” S. P. Compton, Inter/Micro, McCrone Research Institute, 13 July 2010.