11 Platinum Speciation in Air Samples

Abstract

Abstract The health effects of chloroplatinates are generally well recognised and acknowledged by regulators in both EU and USA (Platinum salt sensitivity). But what about Platinum species? Speciation is essential for valid toxicology assessments and speciation studies are lacking in this respect – it’s known that certain Platinum chloro complexes are more sensitising than others. A method for the separation of platinum chloro-complexes and their hydrolysis products has been developed. The different platinum chemical species are separated into their charged compounds in 0.07 M HCl: [PtCl4]2-, [PtCl6]2-, [PtCl3(H2O)]-, [PtCl5(H2O)]- and a zero charged/ bis-aquo compound. The separation was carried via an ion exchange chromatographic column coupled to a quadrupole ICP-MS for the detection of the different anionic platinum chloro-species. A gradient program consisting of a mixture of HCl and HClO4 was used as eluent to ensure the separation of the species. A process has been developed for the analysis of platinum species extracted from air filters in a PGM facility with JM. Although the methodology for speciation is robust, further work needs to be carried out in terms of alternative sample collection to the air filters such as bubblers as the process of sonication, drying and acid contact on the filters does adversely affect the chemical species in solution. A comparison between Platinum speciation in air filters collected form IOM samplers and bubblers will be included in this presentation. This work will generate data to help characterise different workplaces based on the types of task-based exposure.