The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method for determining of inhalable and respirable fraction of compounds of manganese, nickel and iron in workplace air. The method is based on passing the tested air through a filter from the cellulose ester mixture placed in a specific sampler. The filter mineralizes in concentrated nitric acid (V) and makes a solution for analysis in diluted nitric acid (V). The use of different dilutions of the sample solution after mineralization makes it possible to use the ranges of standard curves for the determination of substances as manganese, nickel and iron. The addition of lanthanum salt (correction buffer) prevents the occurrence of chemical interference, the use of deuterium lamp eliminates background interference. The developed method enables the determination of selected substances in the air of the working environment in the concentration ranges corresponding to the range from 0.1 to 2 MACs values and also enables the determination of nickel and its compounds in the inhalable fraction for the currently proposed new value of the maximum permissible concentration. The developed method has been validated in accordance with the requirements of Standard No. PN-EN 482 and good validation results were obtained. The method can be used for assessing occupational exposure to compounds of manganese, nickel and iron and associated risk to workers’ health. The developed method of determining compounds of manganese, nickel and iron has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see Appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.
Determination of nickel and its compounds in a working environment
