Mercury – Method for the determination of vapour from mercury and its inorganic compounds in workplace air using atomic absorption spectrometry [Air Monitoring Methods, 2017]

Abstract

This analytical method is a validated measurement procedure for the determination of mercury vapours in workplace air using atomic absorption spectrometry in a concentration range of one thousandth up to twice the currently valid Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) or MAK value of 0.02 mg/m 3 . Both personal and stationary sampling can be performed for risk assessment at work. Sampling is carried out by drawing a defined volume of air through an adsorption tube filled with hopcalite (mixture of MnO 2 and CuO) using a flow‐regulated pump. The flow rate is set to 250 mL/min with a recommended air sample volume of approx. 30 L at a sampling period of 2 hours. After sampling the loaded hopcalite is transferred into a quartz boat and the collected mercury can be analysed directly via atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The quantitative determination is based on a calibration function obtained by means of a 10‐point calibration. The limit of quantification is 0.013 mg/m 3 based on an air sample volume of approx. 30 L with an expanded uncertainty between 18 and 21%. Joint Publication of the Analytical Subcommittee of the Chemistry Board of Experts of the Expert Committee Raw Materials and Chemical Industry of the German Social Accident Insurance and the Working Group “Air Analyses” of the Permanent Senate Commission of the DFG for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area.

Metal exposure of workers during recycling of electronic waste: a cross-sectional study in sheltered workshops in Germany

“…Air samples were collected using a validated method according to air monitoring methods 7808 (metal dust) and 8530 (Hg, workshops A-C) of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA) and according to a validated method of Hebisch (Hebisch et al 2018). Inhalable and respirable dust fractions were collected by personal and stationary sampling at the workshops and in office areas.…”

“…The Hg analysis of samples from facilities A-C was carried out in accordance with IFA method 8530 using atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Due to lasting material supply limitations, samples from facilities D and E were analysed for Hg using atomic absorption spectrometry in accordance with the method of Hebisch (Hebisch et al 2018).…”

Mercury speciation using microcolumns with a direct mercury analyzer (DMA). Development of analytical method for the Savannah River Site liquid system

“…Notably, the traditional analysis of the sorbent is based on a labor-intensive extraction with 5% or 10% nitric acid plus 5% or 10% hydrochloric acid, followed by dilution, addition of stannous chloride, and analysis by CVAAS or CVAFS. In Europe, Anasorb C300 sorbent protocols include DMA as an accepted method (Hebisch et al 2018). To support our key objectives related to IH air sampling for the SRS LWS, Anasorb C300 related tasks include: a) testing Hg o and organomercury sorption characteristics, and b) confirming that the acid extraction and CVAAS analysis schema can be reliably replaced by direct Hg analysis (EPA Method 7473).…”

“…2.3. Candidate Materials for Mercury Speciation by Selective Capture A number of investigators have studied sorbent selectivity for a variety of gaseous Hg species (e.g., Ballantine and Zoller 1984;Baya et al, 2013;Bloom et al, 1988;Bloom et al, 2005;Hebisch et al, 2018;Kvietkus, et al 1995;Liang et al 1994;Shewchuk et al 2016;Sommar, 1999;Trüe et al 2011;Trujillo and Campbell, 1975;Wilhelm et al, 2006;Živkovi´c et al, 2020). Several of these projects also combined sorbents into sorbent trains for operationally separating and quantifying Hg species (e.g., Baya et al, 2013;Bloom et al, 2005;Sommar, 1999;Trujillo and Campbell, 1975;Wilhelm et al, 2006).…”