Use of Field Portable χ - Ray Fluorescence Analyzers for Risk and Hazard Assessment

摘要

The availability of reliable direct reading instruments for the detection of chemical substances and other harmful conditions facilitates the rapid assessment of potential hazards in the workplace and in residential environments. One example is field portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers whose sensitivity and accuracy have increased markedly in the past decade and are now capable of producing results with minimal if any sample preparation for a series of metals and other elements. These instruments are capable of quantification of concentrations in a variety of environmental and occupational samples including dust, soil, air, painted surfaces and other solid materials. Air lead analysis by field portable XRF is an official method for workplace air in the US. The ability to produce results rapidly makes these instruments especially useful in situations where it is important to have the results available shortly after the time of sampling such as in risk assessments, worker training programs, for designing sampling patterns and/or where it is important to have real - time determinations of whether a building or product meets regulatory standards. This paper will present examples where this instrument has been used to quantify levels of metals in soil, dust, air, and other materials.