Method for the determination of cobalt and its compounds
Translation of DGUV Information 213-515 (former BGI 505-15 or ZH1/120.15)
CAS Number: 7440-48-4
A valid analytical method for the determination of cobalt is currently only available in German.
Method 04 – GFAAS
Method for the determination of cobalt and its compounds in workplace air using atomic absorption spectrometry with the graphite furnace technique (GFAAS) after high-pressure microwave digestion
This analytical method is a validated measurement procedure for the determination of cobalt and its compounds in workplace air averaged over a sampling period after personal or stationary sampling.
Principle
A pump draws a defined volume of air through a quartz fibre filter. The respirable fraction deposited on the filter is analysed to determine cobalt using an atomic absorption spectrometer with a graphite furnace after high-pressure microwave digestion.
Limit of quantification (LOQ, calculated as Co)
Absolute: 56 pg of cobalt per sample carrier: 0.07 μg of cobalt.
Relative: 0.058 μg/m³ for an air sample volume of 1.2 m³ (2 h of sampling at an intake rate of 10 l/min as well as a measurement solution of 25 ml and an injection solution of 20 μl).
Issue
July 2019
The complete measuring method is available in the ZB Med: Method for the determination of cobalt and its compounds in workplace air using atomic absorption spectrometry with the graphite furnace technique (GFAAS) after high-pressure microwave digestion (The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety, Volume 5, No. 3, 2020).
Method 03 – GFAAS – limited suitability: category E1 and E2
Sampling with a pump and collection on a membrane filter, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) after acid digestion
This method permits the determination of concentrations of cobalt and its compounds in work areas averaged over the sampling time after personal or stationary sampling.
Principle
A pump is used to draw a measured volume of air through a membrane filter. The cobalt contained in the collected aerosol is determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion.
Limit of quantification (LOQ)
Absolute: 0.44 ng.
Relative: 1.8 µg/m3 for a 1.2 m3 air sample, 20 mL sample solution, dilution factor 4 and an injection volume of 16 µL.
Issue
March 2004
The measuring method is of limited suitability (E1 and E2).
The complete measuring method is available in the Wiley Online Library: Method for the determination of cobalt and its compounds (Air Monitoring Methods, Volume 10, 2007).
You can reach the German-language version of the article with a single click on the flag-symbol.
