Portable fluorometric monitor for detection of surface contamination by polynuclear aromatic compounds

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac50052a044· OSTI ID:5241203

Schuresko, D D

Uptake of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PNA) compounds via contact with contaminated surfaces in the workplace has been identified as a major mode of worker exposure. An instrument to monitor PNA buildup on surfaces must be capable of: (a) functioning duning actual plant operation in varied working environments; (b) detecting material spilled on different work surfaces, including machinery, plumbing, construction materials, and on personnel and clothing; and (c) being easily and reliably operated by all plant personnel. The fluorescence spotter described in this paper has these capabilities. It consists of a hand-held optics unit connected via an umbilical cable to an electronics cansole, enables remok monitoring of work area surfaces at distances less than or equal to 3m. The new developed spotter (a) can be operated outdoors in direct sunlight or indoors in the presence of strong background illunination; (b) can provide a quantitative measure of the amount of fluorescent material; (c) will discriminate between the fluorescence of organic materials and some inorganic compounds based on their fluorescence lifetime; and (d) does not present a vision hazard to personnel. The spotter has been laboratory tested with pure compounds and with several coal and oil shale products and wastes. The spotter is capable of discriminating between classes of organic contaminants, such as PNAs and acridine dyes, by selecting optiman excitation and emission wavelengths with optical fibers. It can also discriminate the fluorescence of inorganic materials such as uranyl nitrate from the fluorescence of organic compounds. This spotter is suitable for the work-area surface monitoring required by the coal conversion and oil shale industries. 3 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5241203
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 52:2; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
400702* -- Radiochemistry & Nuclear Chemistry-- Properties of Radioactive Materials
440300 -- Miscellaneous Instruments-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
AROMATICS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CONTAMINATION
FLUORESCENCE
HYDROCARBONS
LUMINESCENCE
MONITORING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SURFACE CONTAMINATION
USES