Determination of Gaseous and Particulate Fluorides in the Atmosphere (Separation and Collection with Sodium Bicarbonate Coated Glass Tube and Particulate Filter)

Gaseous fluorides are removed from the air stream by reaction with sodium bicarbonate coated on the inside wall of a pyrex glass tube. Particulate fluorides are collected on a filter following the tube. The fluoride collected by the coating on the inside of the tube is removed with water or buffer and analyzed for fluoride. The particles collected by the filter are eluted with acid and analyzed for fluoride. The results are reported as µg of gaseous fluoride and µg of particulate fluoride/m³ of air at 25°C and 101.3 kPa (1,2).