X-Ray Diffraction Determination of ?-Quartz in Respirable and Total Dust Samples from Sand-Blasting Operations

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Abstract
A method has been developed for the direct x-ray diffraction analysis of α-quartz in airborne dust samples from sand-blasting operations. The samples were collected on 37-mm Millipore organic membrane filters, using an M.S.A. gravimetric dust sampler. The filters were weighed to determine total weight of dust and then placed in a specially modified sample spinner. The intensity of the 3.34-Å quartz diffraction peak was determined by measuring the area under the peak. The percentage of α-quartz in the sample was found by comparing the intensity to a previously prepared calibration curve. By eliminating prior sample preparation procedures and directly analyzing the sample filters, a great savings in time was achieved. This greatly facilitates massive screening studies of silicosis hazards in industrial operations. The overall precision of the method is ±20% for respirable dust samples and ±30% for total dust samples.

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