The Quantitative Determination of Airborne Metallic Dusts and Fumes by X-ray Spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract Metallic dusts and fumes in air may be collected on filter paper and determined quantitatively by measurement of characteristic secondary x-rays produced by irradiation with high-voltage x-rays. Results are obtained rapidly and simply with little or no sample preparation and without sample destruction. A method is presented for preparation of reference standards, and x-ray characteristics of various types of filter media are discussed. A study of potential interferences is presented as well as results obtained in field sampling.