Apparatus and methods for monitoring the concentrations of hazardous airborne substances, especially lead

Patent · Tue Jul 13 00:00:00 EDT 2004

OSTI ID:1174943

Zaromb, Solomon

Air is sampled at a rate in excess of 100 L/min, preferably at 200-300 L/min, so as to collect therefrom a substantial fraction, i.e., at least 20%, preferably 60-100%, of airborne particulates. A substance of interest (analyte), such as lead, is rapidly solubilized from the the collected particulates into a sample of liquid extractant, and the concentration of the analyte in the extractant sample is determined. The high-rate air sampling and particulate collection may be effected with a high-throughput filter cartridge or with a recently developed portable high-throughput liquid-absorption air sampler. Rapid solubilization of lead is achieved by a liquid extractant comprising 0.1-1 M of acetic acid or acetate, preferably at a pH of 5 or less and preferably with inclusion of 1-10% of hydrogen peroxide. Rapid determination of the lead content in the liquid extractant may be effected with a colorimetric or an electroanalytical analyzer.

• Research Organization: ~Individually Owned Patent
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• Assignee: Zaromb, Solomon
• Patent Number(s): 6,762,060
• Application Number: 08/377,966
• OSTI ID: 1174943
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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