A field method for the determination of iron oxide fume in air

Abstract

A field method is described for the determination of iron oxide fume in industrial atmospheres at concentrations up to 20 mg m^–3. After collection on a filter-paper the iron oxide is dissolved in a hot solution of hydroxylammonium chloride in hydrochloric acid. The iron solution is quantitatively transferred to a calibrated flask and the red complex of iron(II)-bathophenanthrolinedisulphonate is formed, the intensity of which is determined either spectrophotometrically or by visual comparison with a set of permanent colour standards. The procedure is simple to carry out and the time required for a complete analysis is about 25 minutes.