Determining potassium bromate in the inhalable aerosol fraction in workplace air with ion chromatography

Abstract Background The article presents the results of studies performed in order to develop a new method of airborne potassium bromate(V) determination at workplaces. Methods The method is based on a collection of the inhalable fraction of potassium bromate(V) using the IOM Sampler, then extraction of bromates with deionized water and chromatographic analysis of the obtained solution. The analysis was performed using ion chromatography with conductometric detection. The tests were performed on a Dionex IonPac®AS22 analytic column (250 × 4 mm, 6 μm) with AG22 precolumn (50 × 4 mm 11 μm). Results The method provides for potassium bromate(V) determination within the concentration range of 0.043 ÷ 0.88 mg/m3 for an air sample of 0.72 m3 in volume, i.e., 0.1–2 times the exposure limit value as proposed in Poland. The method was validated in accordance with PN-EN 482. The obtained validation data are as follows: measuring range: 3.1–63.4 μg/mL, limit of detection (LOD) = 0.018 μg/mL and limit of quantification (LOQ) = 0.053 μg/mL. The developed method has been tested in the work environment, on laboratory employees having contact with potassium bromate(V). Conclusion The analytical method allowed the determination of the inhalable fraction of airborne potassium bromate(V) at workplaces and can be used to assess occupational exposure.