Analytical method for the determination of nickel and its inorganic compounds

Translation of DGUV Information 213-510 (former BGI 505-10 or ZH1/120.10)

CAS Number: 7440-02-0

Method 04 – GFAAS

Sampling is performed by drawing a defined volume of air through a quartz fibre filter using a suitable flow-regulated pump.

This analytical method is a validated measurement procedure for the determination of 
nickel and nickel compounds in workplace air after personal or stationary sampling.

Principle

A pump is used to draw a defined volume of air through a quartz fibre filter. After high-pressure microwave digestion, the respirable and inhalable particle fraction retained on the filter is analysed for nickel using an atomic absorption spectrometer with graphite furnace technique.

Limit of quantification (calculated as Ni)

Absolute: 82 pg of nickel, 0.10 µg of nickel per sample carrier.

Relative: 0.098 µg/m³ for an air sample volume of 1.2 m³ (a sampling period of 2 h at 10 L/min, a measurement solution volume of 25 mL and an injection volume of 20 µL).

Issue

August 2020

The complete measuring method is available in the ZB Med: Nickel – Method for the determination of nickel and its compounds in workplace air using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) after high-pressure microwave digestion (The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety 2022, Volume 7, No. 4).

Method 03 – GFAAS

Sampling is carried out with a pump and collection on a membrane filter. Analysis is performed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) after acid digestion.

Both personal and stationary sampling can be performed for the assessment of workplaces.

Principle

A pump draws a defined volume of air through a membrane filter. The nickel contained in the collected aerosol is determined by means of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion.

Limit of quantification (LOQ)

Absolute: 0.22 ng of nickel.

Relative: 0.47 µg/m³ for an air sample of 1.2 m³, a sample solution of 20 mL (dilution factor 4) and an injection volume of 16 µL.

Issue

November 2007

The complete measuring method is available in the Wiley Online Library: Method for the determination of nickel and its anorganic compounds (Air Monitoring Methods, Volume 13, 2012).

Method 02 – AAS – withdrawn

Sampling with a pump and collection on a particle filter, atomic absorption spectrometry flame and graphite furnace technique after acid digestion.

Principle

Particulate matter is collected from a defined air volume on a filter. The nickel contained in the aerosol collected is determined after acid digestion by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Limit of quantification (LOQ)

Personal sampling, with GFAAS
Relativ: 0.003 mg/m³ for an air sample volume of 0.45 m³.

Stationary sampling, with FAAS
Relative: 0.0004 mg/m³ for an air sample volume of 45 m³.

Issue

October 1992

Withdrawn

October 2006

The complete measuring method is available in the Wiley Online Library: Method for the determination of nickel (Analyses of Hazardous Substances in Air, Volume 7, 2003).