Detecting Trace Metal Contamination in Lab Rooms: Methods and Protocols

[Hedgehog88]

Hi everyone, I want to figure out exactly how clean a particular lab room is (in terms of trace metal contamination). I’ve read papers where people have simply left a vial of high conc. nitric acid on a hot plate to concentrate it, then measure contamination from lab air using an ICPMS. I don’t really understand how that would work though, can anyone explain it, or does anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Borek]

No idea what you are trying to do. Can you elaborate on what you mean by "trace metal contamination of a room"? Air? Surfaces?

 

[Hedgehog88]

No idea what you are trying to do. Can you elaborate on what you mean by "trace metal contamination of a room"? Air? Surfaces?

Hi Borek,
Yes I meant in the air. I’m not sure how feasible that is, but I found this online (link below).
http://files.pharmtech.com/alfresco...634-460a-a84c-1bb3663147ac/article-349190.pdf

 

[Nik_2213]

Um, I've the odd knack of being able to smell Mercury and such at surprisingly low concentrations.
( Also 'blown' fuses when such were open-wire rather than 'cartridge'... ;-)

Back when we had mercury thermometers, I could literally 'follow my nose' to which bench-end sink in our labs had been contaminated by a breakage. The perp had usually recovered all globules from around the plug-hole, but there would be just enough in the trap to require plastic bucket, zinc powder, spillage kit etc etc...

IIRC, our in-house 'Environment Monitor' used special air-filters and a calibrated air-pump to sample rooms.

There will be strict protocols to follow, to ensure result is robust. I'd suggest you begin with EPA or your equivalent.