Abstract
This study investigates the use of X-ray analytical techniques in the field of occupational hygiene. It concentrates on the analysis of toxic metal particulates collected on filters in the working environment inside factories. Chapter 1 looks at the background to this work, including the basic principles of occupational hygiene and its importance in modern industrial processes. The Factory Inspectorate is introduced as the main enforcing body for work-related legislation. Chapter 2 deals with the theory of sampling and of both X-ray fluorescence and diffraction techniques, including particle size effects and errors. A short review of published work in the field of particle size effects is included. Chapter 3 outlines the analytical conditions for both techniques and discusses the reasons for their selection. Experiments carried out to determine the best conditions are described. Chapter 4 deals with various methods of standard preparation, the analysis of samples by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, and the interpretation of results. The project as a whole is discussed in Chapter 5, and its importance put into perspective.