游離二氧化矽粉塵濃度測定參考分析方法比對

A Comparsion of Reference Method for the Analysis of Free Crystalline Silica

石英是結晶型游離二氧化矽中最常見的同素異形體且普遍存在於許多工廠中，如陶瓷，水泥，玻璃，鑄砂及鍊鋼業等等。因此對於長期暴露於游離二氧化矽粉塵的作業工人，則極可能是矽肺症的高危險群。有鑑於此，測定工廠作業環境空氣中可呼吸性二氧化矽粉塵的濃度，為工業衛生極重要的工作。目前已有多種儀器被用來測定空氣中二氧化矽粉塵的含量；包括示差熱分析法 （differential thermal analysis），紫外光－可見光譜分析法（UV-visible light）, X-光繞射法（X-ray diffraction）及傅立葉紅外光譜法（Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy）。其中又以紫外光－可見光譜分析儀、X-光繞射儀及紅外光譜儀為最常用的三種分析儀器。行政院勞工委員會勞工安全衛生研究所已針對上述三種最常用來偵測游離二氧化矽濃度的方法進行一系列研究。本計畫目的乃對此三種分析方法進行確認與分析比對，以了解分析方法間之差異，如儀器偵測之精密度及準確性及偵測環境的相容性：包括偵測物干擾問題、設備使用安全問題及費用問題等。本研究將此三種分析方法對我國作業環境之適用性進行評估與建議，以使作業環境測定制度的推行更加落實，提供工業界更多分析方法之選擇。

Quartz, the most abundant polymorphic form of silica, is used in many manufacturing industries such as pottery, mortar, glass, abrasives etc. However, exposure of silica dust, which takes place in varied types of industries and occupations, may cause silicosis, a chronic fibrotic change of the lungs. As a result, it is essential for industrial hygienist to develop a method for tailoring and analyzing the quartz content in the respirable dust. Various methods have been proposed for this purpose, such as colorimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, UV-visible light, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy. However, the most frequently used methods is UV-visible light, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy for silica analysis. In this regard, a series of reference methods has been established by the Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan in the past. The main purpose of this project is not only to validate these methods (UV-visible light, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy) for silica analysis, but also makes a comparison among them, based on costs of the instruments, difficulties and complexities of the operation, accuracy and precision of the data obtained, etc. The results will demonstrate the differences among these three methods. Furthermore, information on most suitable method for determining the concentration of free silica in the industrial environments will be provided.