Determination of samarium oxide and lanthanum oxide in the air of workplace by inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry

Objective To establish a method for the determination ofsamarium oxide and lanthanum oxide by inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometryin the air of workplace. Methods Samarium, lanthanum and their compounds in the air of workplace were collected through microporous filter. The samples were digested by nitricacid and perhydrol (V/V=4∶1) and detected by inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry. Results The linear range ofsamarium oxide and lanthanum oxide was 0-50.00 μg/L, Sm2O3: y=0.0119x, r=0.9999; La2O3: y=0.0617x, r=0.9998. The detection limits were less than 0.1 μg/L, and the minimum detection concentration were less than 1.52×10-5 mg/m3. The sampling efficiency were 100%, the recovery rates were 95.70%-102.01%, and the precision were 0.78%-1.58%. Conclusion The indicators established in this study are conformed with the requirements of Chinese Occupational Standars of GBZ/T 210.4-2008, "The Guidelines for the Development of Occupational Hygiene StandarsMehods Part 4: Determination of Chemical Substances in the Air of Workplace". Key words: Samarium oxide; Lanthanum oxide; Air; Workplace; Inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry