Anodic electrodissolution: a low-cost alternative for carbon steel sample preparation for quantification of metals by ICP-MS.

A fast and low-cost method using electrolysis for sample preparation of carbon steel present in weld electrodes aiming to achieve quantification of heavy metals by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was developed. Conditions of the electrolysis, such as pH and electrical charge were investigated to improve the solubility and concentration of the analytes in the electrolyte. The method showed high reproducibility, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 3.

Risk assessment of chemicals in foundries: the International Chemical Toolkit pilot-project.

In Brazil, problems regarding protection from hazardous substances in small-sized enterprises are similar to those observed in many other countries. Looking for a simple tool to assess and control such exposures, FUNDACENTRO has started in 2005 a pilot-project to implement the International Chemical Control Toolkit. During the series of visits to foundries, it was observed that although many changes have occurred in foundry technology, occupational exposures to silica dust and metal fumes continue to occur, due to a lack of perception of occupational exposure in the work environment.