Validation of the analysis of respirable crystalline silica (quartz) in foams used with CIP 10-R samplers.
Sampling the respirable fraction to measure exposure to crystalline silica is most often carried out using cyclones. However, low flow rates (<4 l min(-1)) and continuing improvement in workplace hygiene means less and less material is sampled for analysis, resulting in increased analytical uncertainty. Use of the CIP 10-R sampler, working at a flow rate of 10 l min(-1), is one attempt to solve current analytical difficulties. To check the ability of the analysis of quartz sampled on foams, known amounts of quartz associated with a matrix have been injected into foams. The results obtained show that the proposed protocol, with prior acid attack and ashing of the foams, satisfies the recommendations of EN 482 Standard [CEN. (2006) Workplace atmospheres-general requirements for the performance of procedures for the measurements of chemical agents. Brussels, Belgium: EN 482 Comité Européen de normalization (CEN).], namely an expanded uncertainty of <50% for quartz weights between 0.1 and 0.5 times the 8-h exposure limit value and <30% for quartz weights between 0.5 and 2 times the 8-h exposure limit value, assuming an exposure limit value equal to 0.1 mg m(-3). Results obtained show that the 101 reflection line allows a quartz quantity of the order of 25 μg to be satisfactorily measured, which corresponds to a 10th of the exposure limit value, assuming an exposure limit value of 0.05 mg m(-3). In this case, the 100 and 112 reflection lines with expanded uncertainties of ~50% would also probably lead to satisfactory quantification. Particular recommendations are also proposed for the preparation of calibration curves to improve the method.
Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS), Centre de Lorraine, Département Métrologie des Polluants, Laboratoire d'Analyses Inorganiques et de Caractérisation des Aérosols, Rue du Morvan, Vandoeuvre Les Nancy Cedex, France. celine.eypert-blaison@inrs.fr
Céline
C
Eypert-Blaison
Jean-Claude
JC
Moulut
Thierry
T
Lecaque
Florian
F
Marc
Edmond
E
Kauffer
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D002138:Calibration; D003460:Crystallization; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D011791:Quartz / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D011791:Quartz