Cellulose Ester Membrane Filters Research Articles

Microbial communities in aerosol generated from cyanobacterial bloom-affected freshwater bodies: an exploratory study in Nakdong River, South Korea.

Toxic blooms of cyanobacteria, which can produce cyanotoxins, are prevalent in freshwater, especially in South Korea. Exposure to cyanotoxins via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact may cause severe diseases. Particularly, toxic cyanobacteria and their cyanotoxins can be aerosolized by a bubble-bursting process associated with a wind-driven wave mechanism. A fundamental question remains regarding the aerosolization of toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins emitted from freshwater bodies during bloom seasons. To evaluate the potential health risk of the aerosolization of toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins, the objectives of this study were as follows: 1) to quantify levels of microcystin in the water and air samples, and 2) to monitor microbial communities, including toxic cyanobacteria in the water and air samples. Water samples were collected from five sites in the Nakdong River, South Korea, from August to September 2022. Air samples were collected using an air pump with a mixed cellulose ester membrane filter. Concentrations of total microcystins were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to investigate microbial communities, including toxic cyanobacteria. Mean concentrations of microcystins were 960 μg/L ranging from 0.73 to 5,337 μg/L in the water samples and 2.48 ng/m3 ranging from 0.1 to 6.8 ng/m3 in the air samples. In addition, in both the water and air samples, predominant bacteria were Microcystis (PCC7914), which has a microcystin-producing gene, and Cyanobium. Particularly, abundance of Microcystis (PCC7914) comprised more than 1.5% of all bacteria in the air samples. This study demonstrates microbial communities with genes related with microcystin synthesis, antibiotic resistance gene, and virulence factors in aerosols generated from cyanobacterial bloom-affected freshwater body. In summary, aerosolization of toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins is a critical concern as an emerging exposure route for potential risk to environmental and human health.

Measuring the Concentrations of Asbestos Fibers in Some Crowded Areas of Baghdad in The Summer of 2020

Aims of this research to determine asbestos fibers levels in surrounding air of some crowded sites of Baghdad city were monitored in summer 2020. Collection of samples was conducted by directing air flow to a mixed cellulose ester membrane filter mounted on an open‑faced filter holder using sniffer a low flow sampling pump, samples of air were collected from five studied areas selected in some heavy traffic areas of Baghdad city, (Al-Bayaa and Al-Shurta tunnel, Al-Jadriya, and Al-Meshin commercial complex, control), then analyzed to determine concentrations of asbestos fibers. Counting of asbestos on the filters was carried out through using both scanning electron microscope SEM and an energy dispersive X‑ray system EDS to count and determine asbestos fibers. The results of this research appeared that the levels of asbestos fibers which recorded minimum value in control site was 0.018±0.001 f/ml and maximum value in Al-Gadriya was 0.121±0.006 f/ml. The concentrations of asbestos fibers in all studied areas were more than standards of world health organization WHO for air was 0.0022 f/ml. This may be because the presence of crowded traffic, occurrence of industries near studied areas. Therefore, effective plans like management of traffic, changing of industrial locations, and products substitution replacement can be effective in reduce concentrations of asbestos fibers. Keywords: Asbestos Fibers, SEM, Crowded Areas, Ambient Air, Summer.

Simplified ex-vivo drug evaluation in ocular surface cells: Culture on cellulose filters of cells obtained by impression cytology

Drug development, resource- and time-intensive, extensively employs cell-based assays to assess the efficacy and safety of candidate drugs. The widely used immortalized cell lines, experimentally convenient, have limited predictive value. In contrast, ex-vivo models more faithfully reproduce diseases but are technically challenging to establish. To address this need, we developed a simplified process for ex-vivo cell culture, demonstrating its feasibility in ocular surface cells. Conjunctival cells were harvested by impression cytology and grown on mixed cellulose ester membrane filters (MCFs). Human and rabbit conjunctival cells cultured on MCFs are 100% viable at 24 h, and 43% viable at 72 h. A gene expression study evaluating 84 genes involved in ocular inflammation demonstrated that ex-vivo culturing maintains intact the expression of two thirds of these genes in human cells. That these cells are suitable for the assessment of ocular drugs was demonstrated by studying the effect of phosphosulindac (PS), a small molecule under development for the treatment of dry eye disease, in both human and rabbit conjunctival cells. PS, for example, suppressed the expression of CXCL10, a cytokine participating in the pathogenesis of dry eye disease, in human and in rabbit conjunctival cells cultured ex-vivo by 32% and 70%, respectively. Conjunctival cells cultured ex-vivo can be transfected to evaluate mechanistic questions. We successfully transfected such cells with a plasmid expressing luciferase under the control of an IFN-γ-responsive promoter or its control plasmid. IFN-γ stimulated luciferase expression by 85% in cells with the responsive plasmid but not in controls; PS significantly suppressed this induction by 37% without affecting the control plasmid. These findings demonstrate that human and rabbit conjunctival cells cultured ex-vivo with our method are viable and maintain their biological integrity; respond to biological and pharmacological agents; and are transfectable with informative plasmids. The unique advantage of this method is to potentially accelerate the development of novel drugs for the treatment of ocular surface diseases, and to advance our understanding of ocular surface pathophysiology.

Air Pollution with Asbestos Fibers in Some Heavy Traffic Areas of Baghdad

This research was conducted to measure the levels of asbestos fibers in the air of some dense sites of Baghdad city, which were monitored in autumn 2019. Samples collection was conducted via directing air flow to a mixed cellulose ester membrane filter mounted on an open‑faced filter holder using sniffer with a low flow sampling pump. Air samples were collected from four studied areas selected in some high traffic areas of Baghdad city, two of them were located in Karkh (Al-Bayaa and Al-Shurta tunnel) and two in Rusafa (Al-Jadriya and Al-Meshin complex), then analyzed to determine concentrations of asbestos. Measuring of levels of asbestos fibers on the filters was carried out via using scanning electron microscope SEM together with an energy dispersive X‑ray system (EDS). The results showed that the lowest level was recorded in Al-Jadriya intersection (0.0352 fiber/ml), while the maximum concentration was in Al-Bayaa (0.156 f/ml). Asbestos average concentration in the ambient air of the four studied areas was 0.0718 f/ml, which exceeded the standards of world health organization (WHO) for air which is equal to 0.0022 f/ml. This may be due to the presence of crowded traffic and the occurrence of industries near the city. Therefore, plans such as management of traffic, changing locations of industrial sites, and products substitution can be effective in minimizing the concentrations of airborne fibers.

Inactivation of bacterial and fungal spores by UV irradiation and gaseous iodine treatment applied to air handling filters

Exposure to viable bacterial and fungal spores re-aerosolized from air handling filters may create a major health risk. Assessing and controlling this exposure have been of interest to the bio-defense and indoor air quality communities. Methods are being developed for inactivating stress-resistant viable microorganisms collected on ventilation filters. Here we investigated the inactivation of spores of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), a recognized simulant for B. antracis, and Aspergillus fumigatus, a common opportunistic pathogen used as an indicator for indoor air quality. The viability change was measured on filters treated with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and gaseous iodine. The spores were collected on high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and non-HEPA filters, both flattened for testing purposes to represent “surface” filters. A mixed cellulose ester (MCE) membrane filter was also tested as a reference. Additionally, a commercial HEPA unit with a deep-bed (non-flattened) filter was tested. Combined treatments of Btk spores with UV and iodine on MCE filter produced a synergistic inactivation effect. No similar synergy was observed for A. fumigatus. For spores collected on an MCE filter, the inactivation effect was about an order of magnitude greater for Btk compared to A. fumigatus. The filter type was found to be an important factor affecting the inactivation of Btk spores while it was not as influential for A. fumigatus. Overall, the combined effect of UV irradiation and gaseous iodine on viable bacterial and fungal spores collected on flat filters was found to be potent. The benefit of either simultaneous or sequential treatment was much lower for Btk spores embedded inside the deep-bed (non-flattened) HEPA filter, but for A. fumigatus the inactivation on flattened and non-flattened HEPA filters was comparable. For both species, applying UV first and gaseous iodine second produced significantly higher inactivation than when applying them simultaneously or in an opposite sequence.

Incidence of fecal indicator and pathogenic bacteria in reclaimed and return flow waters in Arizona, USA

The quality of irrigation water used to cultivate produce that is consumed raw is an important issue with regard to food safety. In this study, the microbiological quality of potential irrigation water sources in Arizona was evaluated by testing for the presence of indicator and pathogenic bacteria. Reclaimed water samples were collected from two wastewater treatment plants and return flow samples were collected from two drainage canals and one return flow pond. Standard membrane filtration methods were used for detection of indicator bacteria. Water samples (n = 28) were filtered through cellulose ester membrane filters and bacterial populations were enumerated by placing the filters on selective agar. For detection of pathogens (Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)), water samples were filtered through Modified Moore swabs and enriched in Universal Pre-enrichment Broth, followed by selective enrichment broth for each pathogen. The enriched broth was streaked onto agar media selective for each pathogen. Presumptive colonies were confirmed by PCR/real-time PCR. Among the 14 reclaimed water samples from two sites, the ranges of recovered populations of E. coli, total coliforms, and enterococci were 0–1.3, 0.5–8.3 × 103, and 0–5.5 CFU/100 mL, respectively. No L. monocytogenes, Salmonella or STEC were found. In the 13 return flow water samples from 3 sites, the ranges of recovered populations of E. coli, total coliforms and enterococci were 1.9–5.3 × 102, 6.5 × 102−9.1 × 104, and 2.9–3.7× 103 CFU/100 mL, respectively. All samples were negative for L. monocytogenes. One (7.1%) of the return flow samples was positive for E. coli O145. Nine (64.3%) of the samples were positive for Salmonella. Both real-time PCR and culture-based methods were used for the detection of Salmonella and L. monocytogenes, and the results from the two methods were comparable. The findings of this study provide evidence that irrigation waters in Arizona, including reclaimed water and return flows, could be potential sources of bacterial contamination of produce. Additional work is needed to evaluate whether bacteria present in irrigation water sources transfer to the edible portion of irrigated plants and are capable of persisting through post-harvest activities.

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

The ubiquitous presence of plastic debris in the ocean is widely recognized by the public, scientific communities, and government agencies. However, only recently have microplastics in freshwater systems, such as rivers and lakes, been quantified. Microplastic sampling at the surface usually consists of deploying drift nets behind either a stationary or moving boat, which limits the sampling to environments with low levels of suspended sediments and floating or submerged debris. Previous studies that employed drift nets to collect microplastic debris typically used nets with ≥300 µm mesh size, allowing plastic debris (particles and fibers) below this size to pass through the net and elude quantification. The protocol detailed here enables: 1) sample collection in environments with high suspended loads and floating or submerged debris and 2) the capture and quantification of microplastic particles and fibers <300 µm. Water samples were collected using a peristaltic pump in low-density polyethylene (PE) containers to be stored before filtering and analysis in the lab. Filtration was done with a custom-made microplastic filtration device containing detachable union joints that housed nylon mesh sieves and mixed cellulose ester membrane filters. Mesh sieves and membrane filters were examined with a stereomicroscope to quantify and separate microplastic particulates and fibers. These materials were then examined using a micro-attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (micro ATR-FTIR) to determine microplastic polymer type. Recovery was measured by spiking samples using blue PE particulates and green nylon fibers; percent recovery was determined to be 100% for particulates and 92% for fibers. This protocol will guide similar studies on microplastics in high velocity rivers with high concentrations of sediment. With simple modifications to the peristaltic pump and filtration device, users can collect and analyze various sample volumes and particulate sizes.

Biological monitoring of occupational exposure to dust among aluminium foundry workers

Aim - The purpose of the study was to evaluate the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to aluminium (AL) dust in foundry workers in south of Tehran. Material and Methods - This cross-sectional study was carried out on 63 workers in A and B foundries and 50 unexposed individuals as the control group. AL dust were sampled using Higgins-Dewell cyclone (HD) and cellulose ester membrane filter (MEC) with a flow of 2.2 l/min in the breathing zone of workers for 4 hours. Urinary samples were taken at the end of work shifts per week and were analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.21 and statistical methods including t-test, one-way ANOVA and linear regression. Results - Airborne concentration of AL aerosols differed statistically significant in occupational groups (P 0.05). However, there was a significant difference between urinary concentrations of the exposed group and the control group (P 0.05). Conclusion - Determination of AL concentration in urine is not enough to serve as a biomarker. Estimation of AL nanoparticles in the air and biomarkers that determine the actual absorption rate seems to be an adequate method for occupational exposure monitoring of AL.

On-site Determination of Trace Arsenic by Reflection-Absorption Colorimetry of Molybdenum Blue Collected on a Membrane Filter.

An on-site determination method for trace arsenic has been developed by collecting it as molybdenum blue (MB) in the presence of tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride on a mixed cellulose ester membrane filter and by measuring reflection absorbance (RA) of MB on the filter using a laboratory-made palm-top size reflection-absorbance colorimeter with a red light-emitting diode. The value of RA was proportional to the amount of arsenic up to 0.5 μg with a detection limit of 0.01 μg. The proposed method was successfully applied to soil extract and hot-spring water samples.

PVC 여과지를 이용한 금속 분석방법에 대한 정확도와 정밀도 평가

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and precision of airborne metal analysis using polyvinyl chloride(PVC) membrane filter by pretreatment methods. Methods: A total of 75 spiked PVC samples for Cr, Fe and Mn ranged from 6 ug/sample to 40 ug/sample were used to evaluate recovery rates for three pretreatment methods: acid extraction, hot plate ashing and microwave digestion. For Mn, an additional 75 spiked mixed cellulose ester(MCE) membrane filters were analysed to compare the recovery rates of PVC samples. All samples were analysed with an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer(ICP-OES) and manganese samples were additionally analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer(AAS). Results: The overall mean recovery rates of PVC samples for Cr, Fe and Mn were 90% or higher regardless of pretreatment methods, but there were statistically significant differences in recovery rates for Cr(p<0.05) and Mn(p<0.01) samples by pretreatment methods. The biases and the coefficient variations of PVC samples for three metals pretreated with three kinds of pretreatment methods ranged from 1.7% to 4.7% and from 1.6% to 6.5%, respectively. The manganese PVC samples pretreated by microwave digestion and analyzed with ICP-OES had the lowest bias at 1.9% and also showed lower bias than the bias for MCE samples, 2.7%. Conclusions: In order to accurately analyze the metals sampled with PVC membrane filters, microwave digestion and ICP-OES can be recommended.

Measurement of airborne asbestos levels in high traffic areas of Shiraz, Iran, in winter 2014

Aims: Levels of asbestos fibers in ambient air of dense areas of Shiraz, Iran, were monitored in winter 2014. Materials and Methods: Sampling was carried out by directing air flow to a mixed cellulose ester membrane filter mounted on an open-faced filter holder using a low flow sampling pump. Fiber counting on the filters was conducted using both phase contrast microscopy (PCM) method to determine total fibers and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) method to identify nonasbestos from asbestos fibers. Results: The average concentration of asbestos fibers in the ambient air of the study in different areas of Shiraz were 1.18 ± 0.28 PCM f/L and 13.64 ± 2.87 SEM f/L, in which a maximum level was measured in Valiasr square (1.89 ± 0.54 PCM f/L [20.37 ± 5.55 SEM f/L]), and that of in Moallem square was in minimum (1.05 ± 0.47 PCM f/L [12.24 ± 3.04 SEM f/L]). Conclusions: The averages of asbestos fibers in all sampling points were higher than the WHO suggested standards for ambient air (0.05 PCM f/L, 2.2 SEM f/L). This may be attributed to the frequent occurrence of heavy traffic, the existence of relevant industries in and around the city, and the topographic characteristics of the city. Therefore, immediate courses of action such as product substitution, traffic smoothing, and industrial sites relocating should be taken to eliminate asbestos fibers emission.

Air sampling filtration media: Collection efficiency for respirable size-selective sampling.

The collection efficiencies of commonly used membrane air sampling filters in the ultrafine particle size range were investigated. Mixed cellulose ester (MCE; 0.45, 0.8, 1.2, and 5 μm pore sizes), polycarbonate (0.4, 0.8, 2, and 5 μm pore sizes), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; 0.45, 1, 2, and 5 μm pore sizes), polyvinyl chloride (PVC; 0.8 and 5 μm pore sizes), and silver membrane (0.45, 0.8, 1.2, and 5 μm pore sizes) filters were exposed to polydisperse sodium chloride (NaCl) particles in the size range of 10-400 nm. Test aerosols were nebulized and introduced into a calm air chamber through a diffusion dryer and aerosol neutralizer. The testing filters (37 mm diameter) were mounted in a conductive polypropylene filter-holder (cassette) within a metal testing tube. The experiments were conducted at flow rates between 1.7 and 11.2 l min-1. The particle size distributions of NaCl challenge aerosol were measured upstream and downstream of the test filters by a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). Three different filters of each type with at least three repetitions for each pore size were tested. In general, the collection efficiency varied with airflow, pore size, and sampling duration. In addition, both collection efficiency and pressure drop increased with decreased pore size and increased sampling flow rate, but they differed among filter types and manufacturer. The present study confirmed that the MCE, PTFE, and PVC filters have a relatively high collection efficiency for challenge particles much smaller than their nominal pore size and are considerably more efficient than polycarbonate and silver membrane filters, especially at larger nominal pore sizes.

Proposal of reference values of microbiological environment monitoring in foodservice establishments

To propose a new reference of microbiological environment monitoring in foodservice establishments. The present work shows the determination and evaluation of the microbiological contamination generated in a foodservice establishment Method: It is based on surface sampling (microbial build-up) using mixed cellulose ester membrane filters and on air sampling (hourly microbial adhesion) using Petri dishes. Limits of contamination are established before and during the food elaboration, by means of the microbiological analysis of the environment, surfaces and equipment systems, until reliable limits and levels of acceptance are established of each selected point. Finally, a program of environmental microbiological monitoring was established including the evaluation of all parameters that compose and are implicit in the area, thus assuring and supporting its continuity with the documentation and registers developed for a safety area. Samples for microbiological examination were collected over a period of one moth on ten different days, at two different times. Twelve selected points having previously been identified as hazardous were monitored. Furthermore, foods though to be of high risk were periodically collected for microbiological analysis. The possibility to use of an ample range of selective media, well over the limited number used in this study, allows the analysis of many single microbial species.

Occupational Exposure to Manganese‐containing Welding Fumes and Pulmonary Function Indices among Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Welders

The objectives of this study were to evaluate manganese (Mn)-containing welding fumes' exposure, assess urinary Mn as a biomarker for Mn exposure and investigate the correlation of Mn in air, total fumes and urinary Mn with pulmonary function indices in 118 welders and 37 unexposed controls from two regions in Iran, Assaluyeh and Borujen. Air samples were collected on mixed cellulose ester membrane filters in personal air samplers and then analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) (NIOSH Method 7300). For all participants, urine samples were collected during the entire work shift, and Mn in urine was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy according to NIOSH Method 8310. Spirometric measurements were also done for participants. The maximum exposures to airborne Mn and total fumes were 0.304 ± 0.256 mg/m(3) and 21.52 ± 9.40 mg/m(3), respectively. The urine Mn levels in the various groups ranged between 0.77 to 7.58 μg/l. The correlation between airborne Mn and urinary Mn was significant for total whole participants. Some values of spirometric indices were statistically lower in welders rather than controls. Our results indicate that many welders have been exposed to higher concentrations of Mn-containing welding fumes. Urinary Mn can be used as a biomarker for Mn exposure. There were weak inverse correlations between Mn-containing welding fumes and pulmonary function indices, and the inverse correlation between urinary Mn with forced vital capacities (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was significant.

Fabrication and characterization of a α,β,γ,δ-Tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphine/silica nanocomposite thin-layer membrane for detection of ppb-level heavy metal ions

A new detection membrane for filtration enrichment combined with colorimetric determination of Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions is presented. We have demonstrated the use of a dye nanoparticle coated test strip (DNTS) structured with a reagent layer for on-site analysis of trace metal ions. In this study, a [TMPyP/SA] DNTS coated with a nanocomposite layer (average thickness: 5.39 μm) of α,β,γ,δ-Tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphine (TMPyP) and silica-SA on the top surface of a cellulose ester membrane filter was fabricated by a simple filtration of an aqueous TMPyP/silica-SA nanocomposite dispersion through a membrane filter. The nanocomposite formation of cationic TMPyP and negatively charged colloidal SA (9–80 nm) was based on electrostatic interaction and was confirmed in the 120–800 nm diameter range by a dynamic light scattering photometer (DLS). To optimize the DNTS nanocomposite layer, surface uniformity, mechanical strength, the percent retention of TMPyP, and sensitivity to Cd(II) detection for six DNTSs with five different types of silica were examined. A half[TMPyP/SA] DNTS with an average layer thickness of 2.60 μm, which was prepared by controlling the amount of TMPyP and SA, demonstrated the highest sensitivity to Cd(II) ion because it had the lowest background absorbance. In addition, factors that affected the percent retention of TMPyP, such as pH and TMPyP/SA ratio, were determined. More than 99% of the TMPyP was retained on a membrane filter at pH 7.8 with a TMPyP and SA concentration of 2 × 10 −5 M and 4 × 10 −5 wt%, respectively. Filtration enrichment of 100 mL of an aqueous solution containing Cd(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II) at ppb levels was achieved by concentrating the metal ions in a nanocomposite layer (the effective TMPyP area was 1.77 cm 2, pH 10.2). The signaling surface changed from a brown color to green when the ions were captured. The percent extraction for metal ions on a half[TMPyP/SA] DNTS were estimated by TLC scanning and ICP-MS. It was observed that, when using the half[TMPyP/SA] DNTS, Cd(II) concentrations as low as 1 ppb were detectable at a filtration rate of 4.0–5.0 mL min −1.

Composition of heavy metals and airborne fibers in the indoor environment of a building during renovation

The renovation of a building will certainly affect the quality of air in the vicinity of where associated activities were undertaken, this includes the quality of air inside the building. Indoor air pollutants such as particulate matter, heavy metals, and fine fibers are likely to be emitted during renovation work. This study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metals, asbestos and suspended particulates in the Biology Building, at the Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia (UKM). Renovation activities were carried out widely in the laboratories which were located in this building. A low-volume sampler was used to collect suspended particulate matter of a diameter size less than 10 μm (PM₁₀) and an air sampling pump, fitted with a cellulose ester membrane filter, were used for asbestos sampling. Dust was collected using a small brush and scope. The concentration of heavy metals was determined through the use of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy and the fibers were counted through a phase contrast microscope. The concentrations of PM₁₀ recorded in the building during renovation action (ranging from 166 to 542 μg m⁻³) were higher than the value set by the Department of Safety and Health for respirable dust (150 μg m⁻³). Additionally, they were higher than the value of PM₁₀ recorded in indoor environments from other studies. The composition of heavy metals in PM₁₀ and indoor dust were found to be dominated by Zn and results also showed that the concentration of heavy metals in indoor dust and PM₁₀ in this study was higher than levels recorded in other similar studies. The asbestos concentration was 0.0038 ± 0.0011 fibers/cc. This was lower than the value set by the Malaysian Department of Occupational, Safety and Health (DOSH) regulations of 0.1 fibers/cc, but higher than the background value usually recorded in indoor environments. This study strongly suggests that renovation issues need to be considered seriously by relevant stakeholders within the university in order to ensure that the associated risks toward humans and indoor environment are eliminated, or where this is not feasible, minimized as far as possible.

Dithizone nanofiber-coated membrane for filtration-enrichment and colorimetric detection of trace Hg(ii) ion

Dithizone nanofiber-coated membranes (dithizone membranes), which are useful for sensitive and selective determination of Hg(II), were fabricated. Simply by filtration of the aqueous dispersion of dithizone nanofiber through a cellulose ester membrane filter, a dithizone nanofiber layer of less than 500 nm thickness was coated firmly and uniformly over the membrane filter surface. The steel blue color of the membrane remained unchanged for more than three months when fabricated in the presence of ascorbic acid and stored with an oxygen absorber in an evacuated aluminium bag. Determination at the parts per billion level of Hg(II) was achieved by filtration-enrichment of a sample solution and simultaneous colorimetric analysis using a TLC scanner (500 nm). Consequently, Hg(II) ion was concentrated in the dithizone layer as reddish brown complexes by filtration of a sample solution at pH 2.7. More than 90% of 10 ppb Hg(II) was retained in the dithizone layer at the filtration rate of 1.3-9.3 ml min(-1). The presence of Na+ (10,000 ppm), K+ (5000 ppm), Ca(II) (5000 ppm), Cu(II) (6.4 ppm), Fe(II) (100 ppm), Zn(II) (100 ppm), Pb(II) (100 ppm) and Cd(II) (10 ppm) by using 2.5 x 10(-4) M of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a masking reagent did not interfere with the detection of Hg(II) (10 ppb). Most of anions did not interfere with the determination of Hg(II). The present method was tested for the detection of simulated wastewater, river water and seawater spiked with 10 ppb of Hg(II).

Use of Field‐Portable X‐Ray Fluorescence (FPXRF) Analyzer to Measure Airborne Lead Levels in Korean Workplaces

We evaluated the possibility of applying field-portable x-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) analysis as a rapid, on-site and near real-time method for evaluating airborne lead contamination in Korean workplaces. A total of 287 airborne lead filter samples were measured in 12 lead-using workplaces during routine industrial hygienic monitoring procedures as required by Korean government regulations. All filter samples were collected using the standard industrial hygiene sampling protocol described in NIOSH Method 7300 using closed-face 37-mm cassettes with preloaded cellulose ester membrane filters with a pore size of 0.8 microm. The samples were first analyzed using the non-destructive, FPXRF analytical method (NIOSH method 7702), and then subsequently analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP) (NIOSH method 7300) as a reference analytical method. Pair-wise comparison of filter samples using the paired t-test revealed no statistically significant differences between the two methods over a wide range of airborne lead levels (0.018-0.201 microg/m(3)) either over the industries assessed or separately in the 12 lead-using workplaces. Linear regression of the data between the ICP and FPXRF methods produced a slope of 1.03, a y-intercept of 0.13 microg/sample, and a coefficient of determinant (r(2)) of 0.975 for all the data. For samples in the range from 0 to 100 microg, the corresponding values were 1.07, -1.20 microg/sample, and 0.925, respectively. There were no significant differences in the regression analyses of the three industry types (r(2)=0.964-0.982). Our data suggest that FPXRF data are highly correlated with those from the laboratory-based ICP method in terms of accuracy, precision, and bias. Therefore, FPXRF can be used for the rapid, on-site analysis of lead air-filter samples for values up to 26 microg/sample prior to laboratory confirmation by the ICP method.

Effects of Voltage and Wire Feed Speed on Weld Fume Characteristics

Welding generates high concentrations of ultrafine particles, which research suggests may be more toxic than larger particles. Fume characteristics were measured in a controlled apparatus as a function of voltage level and wire feed speed. Particles were sampled close to the welding process on mixed cellulose ester membrane filters and analyzed for iron, manganese, and total particulate matter at an accredited industrial hygiene laboratory. An ultrafine condensation particle counter measured the particle number concentration, and an optical particle counter measured the particle size distribution. Submicrometer particle number concentrations and iron, manganese, and total particle mass concentrations all depended on voltage levels but not on wire feed speed at a constant voltage. Ultrafine particle concentrations were more than three times greater at 23.5 V than at 16 V. Particles 0.5–0.7 μ m in diameter counted by the optical particle counter increased from 9800 particles/cm 3 at 16 V to 82,800 particles/cm 3 at 23.5 V. Manganese concentration was 1.7 mg/m 3 at 16 V vs. 6.4 mg/m 3 at 23.5 V. The data suggest that welders should use lower voltage levels whenever possible.

Interlaboratory Evaluation of a Portable Fluorescence Method for the Measurement of Trace Beryllium in the Workplace

Abstract Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) developed a field-portable fluorescence method for the measurement of trace beryllium in workplace samples such as surface dust and air filters. The technology has been privately licensed and is commercially available. In cooperation with the Analytical Subcommittee of the Beryllium Health and Safety Committee, we have carried out a collaborative interlaboratory evaluation of the LANL field-portable fluorescence method. The interlaboratory study was conducted for the purpose of providing performance data that can be used to support standard methods. Mixed cellulose ester (MCE) membrane filters and Whatman 541 filters were spiked with beryllium standard solutions so that the filters spanned the range ≈0.05 − ≈0.5 µg Be per sample. Sets of these filters were then coded (to ensure blind analysis) and sent to participating laboratories, where they were analyzed. Analysis consisted of the following steps: 1. Removal of the filters from transport cassettes and placement of them into 15-mL centrifuge tubes; 2. mechanically-assisted extraction of the filters in 5 mL of 1% ammonium bifluoride solution (aqueous) for 30 min; 3.–4. filtration and transfer of sample extract aliquots (100 µL) into fluorescence cuvettes; 5. introduction of 1.9 mL of detection solution (to effect reaction of the fluorescence reagent with beryllium in the extracted sample); and 6. measurement of fluorescence at ≈475 nm using a portable fluorometer. This work presents performance data in support of a procedure that is targeted for publication as a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method and as an ASTM International standard.