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

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 microg sample(-1). Metals tested for any interference effect include Al(3+), Ba(2+), Cd(2+), Cu(2+), Co(2+), Cr(3+), Cr(6+), Fe(3+), Hg(2+), Mg(2+), Ni(2+), Pb(2+), Ti(4+) and UO(2)(2+). Validation of the system showed no significant effect from metal interferences on the quantification of beryllium.