Zinc dichloride. Determination in workplace air

Abstract

Zinc dichloride is very soluble in water. It is used in galvanic processes, for wood impregna-tion, in the textile industry, in organic synthesis and for the production of explosives, for example smoke candles. Zinc dichloride has an irritating, corrosive and damaging effect on the eyes, mucous membranes of the airways, causes severe pneumonia, skin burns and systemic poisoning. Maximum allowable concentration value (MAC) for the inhalable fraction of zinc dichloride in Poland is 1 mg/m3 and the short-term exposure limit value (STEL) is 2 mg/m3. The aim of the study was to amend standard PN-Z-04367:2008 and to develop a method for determining zinc dichloride in workplace air in the range from 1/10 to 2 MAC values. The developed method of determination is based on taking a sample of air into two membrane filters, washing out zinc dichloride from the filters with deionized water and de-termining that compound as zinc by atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS) with atomiza-tion in air-acetylene flame. The method allows determination of zinc dichloride in the work-place air in the concentration range of 0.07–2.17 mg/m3 (for an air sample with a volume of 720 L, which corresponds to 0.1–2.2 of the MAC value. The method is characterized by good precision and accuracy and meets the requirements of European Standard PN-EN 482 for procedures for the determination of chemical substances. The method for the determination of zinc dichloride has been recorded in the form of an analytical procedure (see Appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.