Onsite direct-read system for semi-quantitative detection of traces of beryllium on surfaces

Abstract

The present work describes a simple and reproducible direct-read system for onsite monitoring of beryllium on surfaces of work areas. It is based on the colorimetric reaction of beryllium with active ingredients deposited in a swab. A color comparator consisting of beryllium color chart was designed to enable the semi-quantitative determination of beryllium in surface samples. The system provides a minimum detection limit of 0.01 μg sample⁻¹. Metals tested for any interference effect include Al³⁺, Ba²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cr⁶⁺, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ti⁴⁺ and UO₂²⁺. Validation of the system showed no significant effect from metal interferences on the quantification of beryllium.