Particle on Filter Analysis
Direct-on-Filter (DoF) Analysis Coal and Silica Dust by FT-IR
Infrared (IR) spectroscopy (and of course X-ray diffraction) is generally used for exposure assessment. Traditionally, samples in powder form are handled, collected with a respirable sampler and must be ashed before analysis.
In recent years, however, practical and effective DoF methods have been developed that not only save time but also analyze mining dust using FT-IR.
Analysis of Airborne and Waterborne Metal Particles on Filters via XRF
Airborne metals collected on filters during welding, construction, mining, manufacturing, and paint removal must be monitored for heavy metals and other dangerous elements to protect workers and the surrounding environment. Similarly, waterborne metals collected on filters must be analyzed to protect people, animals, and the surrounding environment.
XRF is a fast, nondestructive technology for elemental analysis of heavy metals and other trace elements collected on filters for environmental assessments. Bruker’s Elemental Analyzer portfolio includes high-throughput lab-based ED-XRF and WD-XRF, point-and-shoot handheld XRF, micro-XRF, and ultra-trace analysis TXRF spectrometers.
TXRF has the sensitivity of ICP-OES and AAS for heavy metal analysis, even when analyzing just minimal amounts of sample material deposited on a filter. TXRF elemental analysis is a significantly faster and “greener” method than ICP. A draft SOP for in-field TXRF measurements as per the EU EMPIR 16ENV07 AEROMET program is available.
Portable XRF is ideal for the measurement of dust wipes and filters. Surface dust wipes, paint chips and flakes can all be screened for heavy metals as per industrial hygiene requirements. It enables compliance with NIOSH 7702 and OSHA OSSS1/OSA1.
Analyzing Microplastics on Filters or Matrices via FT-IR
When analyzing microplastics, the selection of the filter is almost as important as the sample preparation itself. FT-IR offers you the possibility to analyze smallest polymer particles on all kinds of filters and independent of the matrix. Includes, but is not limited to:
- Silicon (micro- and nanoporous)
- Anodisc (aluminium oxide)
- Nitrocellulose
- metal mesh