89 Improvements to a Method for the Determination of Hexavalent Chromium in Workplace Air

Abstract

ISO 16740:2005 specifies an ion chromatographic method for the determination of the time-weighted average mass concentration of hexavalent chromium in workplace air and is applicable to the determination of masses of 0,01 micrograms to 10 micrograms of hexavalent chromium per sample, without dilution. For a nominal 1 cubic metre air sample, this equates to a measurement range of between approximately 0,01 micrograms per cubic metre to 10 micrograms per cubic metre, suitable for assessing exposures in plating or weld shops. However alkaline extractants, required to liberate insoluble chromates from air samples collected in paint shops, can be contaminated with trace levels of chromium thereby negating the inherent sensitivity of this method. Work to address this issue, by sourcing and testing cleaner reagents, will be presented.