CHROMIUM SPECIATION IN CEMENT EXTRACTS AND AIRBORNE PARTICULATES USING HPLC COUPLED WITH ICP-MS

A HPLC-ICP-MS method was developed to analyze trivalent and hexavalent chromium in cement extracts and airborne particulates. Method validation was performed using a NIST Certified Reference Material (CRM-545) and agreement between the measured and certified values was achieved. The determined method detection limits (MDLs) were 0.10 mu g/kg for Cr-VI and 0.64 mu g/kg for Cr-III. The determined limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.35 mu g/kg for Cr-VI and 2.13 mu g/kg for Cr-III. The developed methodology allowed for sensitive and accurate chromium speciation in real samples of cement and dust extracts.