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• PSQ and BPSG Plating on Coins.
• Ag coverage on film products.
• Cr and Zn plating on ferrous parts Phosphor films.
• Al/Ta film on silicon wafers.
• Tb/Co, Tb/Co/Ni/Fe, Co/Re/Zr on wafers.
• TiW, Ni, Ag/TiW/Ni on Si wafers.
• Bronze plating on coin blanks.
• Copper plating on zinc pennies.
• Al/Si/Cu films on Si wafers.
• Pt layer on silica.
• Tb/Fe films on silica.
• Fe-Tb, Fe-Co-Gd-Tb films on silica wafers.
• In/Cu/Mo/Cr film layer over glass.
• Zn/Au alloy film on silicon substrate Co-Gd-Tb-Ar and Tb-Co/Ni-Fe over glass.
• Cr plating thickness over brass.
• Al-Si-Cu films, Ge epi-layers over Si.

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Plastics, polymers, and rubber are combined with a number of different additives to give them properties that are important to many different markets. These products are commonly analyzed as beads, pressed or molded into plaques, in its finished form. Here are a few of the most common uses of XRF for monitoring these products.

Zinc in Polystyrene and other polymers

Zinc Stearate is a common additive in polymers and can be measured by EDXRF.

Bromine and Antimony Fire Retardants in Styrofoam and Plastics
Bromine in Styrofoam is a very old EDXRF application, since XRF is one of the better analytical chemical methods for Br analysis. Antimony is also added to many plastic as a fire retardant. Bromine and Antimony in polymer-based fabrics is another very important application.

P, Ca, Ba, Zn in polymers
Other polymers use a combination of stabilizers and lubricants such as P, Ca, Ba, and Zn that can be measured by EDXRF.

Silicones in polymers
Silicones are popular release agents used in polymers that can be readily analyzed by EDXRF.

Sulfur in Polyurethane
Sulfur in polyurethane is another existing EDXRF application that can be done with most types of instruments.

Mg, Al, Si, Fe in Fiberglass
The fibers in fiberglass have glass-like mineral composition. They can be monitored by EDXRF.

Plastics Compounding
Color, weight, finish, and aging characteristics vary widely in finished products. Plastics are also often diluted with cheaper oxides like calcium carbonate to reduce the total costs. Plastic compounders blend specific mixtures together to meet a customers needs.

Chlorine in Rubber and Plastic
Chlorine is added to rubber to minimize oxidation. EDXRF analyzers are commonly used in windshield wiper and tire manufacturing. Chlorine is added to some plastics as an antioxidant as well.

Sorting PVC from other Plastics
PET and other polymers are recycled, but even a small amount of PVC can contaminate the resin. EDXRF is used as part of a sorting and screening tool, because it can readily detect PVC by its high chlorine content.

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Another very large market for EDXRF is the plating and plating bath market. There are large numbers of specially constructed µXRF instruments sold every year for monitoring plating thickness, many of them have software that allows them to measure multiple layers. EDXRF instruments are better suited for plating bath analysis and can even be used on-line. Here is a list of a number of common elements although virtually any plating and plating bath can be analyzed by XRF:

A. Gold
B. Platinum
C. Rhodium
D. Iridium
E. Titanium
F. Chromium
G. Chromate
H. Nickel
I. Sn-Pb Solder

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For well over a decade XRF has been the preferred method for analyzing wood treating chemicals in the baths as well as monitoring the retention in the wood. Virtually every piece of treated lumber in the US has been certified based on XRF results. The American Wood Preservers Association (AWPA) has approved XRF methods for analyzing every common pressure-treating chemical. Here are several different types of treating processes that can be monitored by XRF.

CCA in Wood and Solution
Wolmanized lumber is treated with a chromium, copper, and arsenic (CCA) treatment. CCA treated wood is commonly used in decks. The concentrations are high and EDXRF can measure them easily.

ACZA in Wood and Solution
Chemonite (ACZA) treatment is an alternative to CCA, and contains ammonium, copper, zinc and arsenic. The last three can be measured by EDXRF.

ACQ in Wood and Solution
ACQ is yet another preservative it contain ammonium, copper and Quantenary ammonium. Total ACQ is quantified based on the Cu analysis.

Pentachlorophenol in wood and Solution
Pentachlorophenol is what is commonly used in telephone poles and railroad ties. It contains chlorine and can easily be monitor by EDXRF.

Zinc Borate treated wood and solutions
Zinc borate is a fungicide added to masonite and other types of composite and pressed wood.

IPBC treated wood and solutions
IPBC (3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate) is another insecticide product used to treat wood. It is often used in finished woods like window frames, and can be measured based on the iodine intensity. IPBC is particular good as a termiticide.

Bromine Wood Treatment
Some organic bromine compounds can be a good termiticide and can be analyzed with EDXRF.

Educational
Since XRF is an important analytical method in chemistry and geology, many universities have XRF instruments as both a teaching and research tool.

Paints and Pigments
Many paints and pigments contain metal dies that can be analyzed by XRF. One specific application is titanium dioxide and lead chromate respectively in white and yellow road paint.

Si and Fe in Copier Toner
Si, Fe and several other elements are present in copier toner. The formulations vary widely, but all can be analyzed by XRF.

Fe in Magnetic Recording Tape
Iron and other metals in recording tape are monitored by XRF.

Ag and Br in Photographic Film and Plates
Silver is expensive and there is a lot of it on photographic film and plates. It can be measured without exposing the film. XRF is also used for measured silver in chemicals that are saved for recycling, and can monitor wastewater to ensure the silver levels are within legal limits.

Chlorine in Cutting Fluids
Cutting fluids contain chlorine in fairly high concentrations, but it must be controlled for consistency.

Sulfur in Paper Manufacturing
XRF has been used for monitoring sulfuric acid in white a black liquor used in paper pulp processing.

S and Cl in Hydraulic Fluid
Sulfur and chlorine are present in hydraulic fluids at concentrations near 100 PPM. XRF has been used for this analysis.

In compliance with the ASTM D 4294-08 method at low concentrations sulfur.

Table 1: Analytical Configuration

EXPERIMENTAL
Five certified sulfur in diesel standards from VHS Labs were used to prepare a calibration curves between 0 to 25 ppm sulfur. The application was performed in Helium atmosphere 500 seconds. A thin XRF plastic film was used to reduce the background at the region of sulfur and to protect the X-ray tube window from diesel contamination. Each freshly prepared sample was measured twice. The correlation data, i.e. the calculated versus given concentration is plotted in a graph in Figure 1.
The correlation data is also tabulated in Table 2.

Table 2: Calibration data

Figure 1: Sulfur in diesel correlation data

PRECISION
A repeatability study was performed on a 15 ppm sulfur in diesel solution. Ten consecutive
measurements were acquired and the result is presented in Table 3.

Table 3: Precision study on 15ppm sulfur in diesel

A typical spectrum of sulfur in diesel is presented in Figure 2. Although the Sulfur peak is hardly
observed the fit intensity method has no problem to extract the sulfur peak intensity as shpown by
the blue overlap in the spectrum in Figure 2.

Figure 2: The fit of the sulfur peak shown in a typical diesel spectrum (25ppm S)

DISCUSSION
This report shows that Xenemetrix EDXRF bench top analyzers can easily meet the requirement of
ASTM method D4294-08 and quantitatively measure sulfur in diesel at the very low end of the method i.e. from 5ppm and up.

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The petroleum market is probably the second largest market for XRF after the geological mining and minerals. There are a number of applications at virtually every stage.

Sulfur in Oil and Fuels

Sulfur is a major element of importance because it can form sulfuric acid in the atmosphere when burned. Environmental regulatory agencies continue to reduce the allowable levels of sulfur in fuels, so it is important to monitor for it throughout the refining process. EDXRF instruments are used for this purpose, and have ASTM methods in place. Specific applications include:

A. Sulfur in Crude oil
B. Sulfur in Gasolines
C. Sulfur in Diesel
D. Sulfur in Kerosene
E. Sulfur in Fuel oil, Heating oil, and Residual Fuel oil
F. Sulfur in Asphalt

Lead in Gasoline
Lead is an anti-knock additive that is added to gasoline. It is used at concentrations of several hundred PPM is leaded gasolines and approximately 13 mg/L in unleaded gasolines.

Manganese in Gasoline
Manganese is another anti-knock additive that is used primarily in Canada at very low PPM concentrations. This application can be done with EDXRF instruments.

Chlorine in Crude Oil
Crude oil is desalinated to remove salts that are naturally present. Crude oil needs to typically be below 50 PPM before it can be refined. EDXRF analyzers can be used for this application.

Nickel and Vanadium in Crude Oil
These elements can poison catalysts used in the refining process. Less than 5 PPM concentrations are preferred. EDXRF analyzer can do this application.

Sulfur, Nickel, and Vanadium in Residual Oil
These elements are monitored for either emissions or recovery purposes.

Sulfur in Coke or Carbon
There are numerous uses for Coke and Carbon, and the material becomes more valuable the lower the sulfur, with electrode grade carbon being quite valuable. This application can be done with EDXRF instruments.

Mg, P, S, Ca, Ba, Zn, Mo in Lubricating Oils
Lube oils contain a number of additives. Some additives are stabilizers, and others improve lubrication. Motor oils are the largest single class of lubricating oils in terms of volume. EDXRF has ASTM methods covering some of these additives.

S, Cl, As, Pb, Cd in Waste Oil and Waste Fuel Oil
Waste oils such as used lubrication oil are used in a number of oil fired power plants and kilns. These are monitored for toxic metals chlorine, and sulfur per environmental protection agency guidelines. EDXRF instruments can perform these measurements.

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The cosmetics market lends itself to the EDXRF method since many additives in cosmetics are mineral or metallic in nature, or are organics with a heavier element attached that is measurable by EDXRF. Here are a few well-known applications:

Titanium and Zinc in Sunscreen
Titanium dioxide is used in most sunscreens to help prevent UV radiation burns. The concentration is high and easily measured by EDXRF. Zinc is also used in sunscreens as a UV blocking agent.

Iron, Titanium, and Zinc in Base Makeup
Flesh colored base makeup's usually contain black iron oxide, red iron oxide, and titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide which are white. The ratio of these oxides determines the shade. EDXRF has been used to measure total iron, and other major components.

Toxic Metals in Cosmetics
Cosmetic component are usually analyzed for toxic components to ensure that they are safe. EDXRF analyzers can be used for measuring toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in cosmetic products.

Metal Dyes in Cosmetics
Some of the brightly colored dyes like those in eye shadows and fingernail polishes contain metallic dyes that can be measured by EDXRF.

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There are numerous applications in the pharmaceutical market that can be accomplished with XRF. There are many drugs that have a heavy element (>Z=10) associated with them so that the concentration is easily monitored.

Bismuth in Anti-Diarrheal Medication
Bismuth is a heavy metal that is easily monitored by EDXRF instrument.

Calcium and Magnesium in Antacids
Calcium and/or magnesium are found in high concentrations in most antacid products and can be measured with EDXRF instruments.

Zirconium, and Aluminum in Deodorant
Most deodorants contain zirconium, and/or aluminum at high concentration. In many formulations silicon and chlorine are also measurable. Deodorants have long been analyzed by EDXRF.

Selenium in Shampoo
Selenium is a common additive in shampoos to prevent dandruff. EDXRF has long been used in this application.

Lead in Bone and Blood
There is a patented XRF method for measuring lead in bone by directly fluorescing an area near the knee. Toxic levels of lead in blood are also detectable by XRF.

Calcium in Dietary Supplements
Calcium is added to dietary supplements as a source of calcium to help with the prevention of osteoporosis.

Chlorine in Toothpaste
Toothpaste is another product that has been successfully analyzed by EDXRF.

Zinc in Cold Treatments
Zinc is a common cold remedied that is available in many lozenges and in other forms. The zinc concentration is high and can be monitored by EDXRF.

Metals in Vitamin tablets and supplements
Metal concentrations in vitamin tables can be measured with EDXRF instruments.

Iodine in Sterilization Products
Iodine is toxic and has long been used in sterilizing solutions. Iodine can be measured with EDXRF instruments.

Silver Nitrate on Medical Products
Most plastic or rubber medical products contain silver nitrate as a biocide agent to prevent the spread of disease. A few examples are EKG strips, catheters, and contact lenses. The concentration is in the PPM range, but may be measured by EDXRF.

Hazardous Metal Analysis in Pharmaceuticals
All products have to be free of toxic metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. EDXRF instruments have detection limits that are good enough to determine if products are non-toxic.

Silicone on Condoms
Silicone is a release agent applied to most condoms to keep the latex from sticking to itself. The coating is light, but measurable by EDXRF.

Nickel and Vanadium in Crude Oil
These elements can poison catalysts used in the refining process. Less than 5 PPM concentrations are preferred. EDXRF analyzer can do this application.

Sulfur, Nickel, and Vanadium in Residual Oil
These elements are monitored for either emissions or recovery purposes.

Sulfur in Coke or Carbon
There are numerous uses for Coke and Carbon, and the material becomes more valuable the lower the sulfur, with electrode grade carbon being quite valuable. This application can be done with EDXRF instruments.

Mg, P, S, Ca, Ba, Zn, Mo in Lubricating Oils
Lube oils contain a number of additives. Some additives are stabilizers, and others improve lubrication. Motor oils are the largest single class of lubricating oils in terms of volume. EDXRF has ASTM methods covering some of these additives.

S, Cl, As, Pb, Cd in Waste Oil and Waste Fuel Oil
Waste oils such as used lubrication oil are used in a number of oil fired power plants and kilns. These are monitored for toxic metals chlorine, and sulfur per environmental protection agency guidelines. EDXRF instruments can perform these measurements.

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Food is a market that offers many opportunities for EDXRF. Many seasonings can be measured by looking at the salt content, to help control the taste. There are a number of minerals and metals added for extra nutritional value that must be monitored to comply with Food and Drug Administration regulations. There are a number of established applications already.

Chlorine in snack foods
Chlorine is monitored to control taste or assure compliance with low salt labeling of products. Snack foods like potato chips, processed meat and cheese that are often high and salt have been successfully analyzed by EDXRF.

Iron in Flour, Rice and Other Grain
Grains and processed flour have long been fortified with iron, and EDXRF instruments are used to monitor it.

Calcium in Orange Juice, Cheese, and Other Foods
Calcium has long been added to orange juice, and is frequently added to many foods as a supplementary source of calcium for the prevention of osteoporosis.

Titanium and Cookies and Snack Cakes
Titanium dioxide is used to make cookies cakes and fillings whiter and brighter. It is in pretty high concentration and is easily measured by EDXRF.

Iron in Milk Powder
Iron is added to milk powder as a supplement, and is commonly analyzed by EDXRF.

Na, Mg, P, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Zn in Pet Foods and Animal Feed
The nutritional value of pet foods and animal feed can be controlled by routinely monitoring the product with EDXRF.

Al, and P in Dough
Aluminum and phosphorus are two more elements in addition to iron that are usually in dough and can be measured by EDXRF.

Ash in Flour
The ash that remains when flour is burned is composed primarily of Na, Mg, K, and Ca oxides. The ash percentage and composition have an affect on taste and mouth feel of product made from flour, so they are routinely analyzed. EDXRF is an excellent method for performing this analysis.

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Coating and thin film analysis is an ideal application for EDXRF. X-rays achieve superior penetration depths and so can measure coatings that other techniques cannot. If the coatings are predominantly one element, it makes the analysis very easy. Several common coating applications follow.

Silicone on Paper, Tissue Paper, and Hygiene products
Silicone is used as a release coating on paper, so that adhesive labels do not stick. Silicone is used on tissue paper like to make it feel softer. Silicone is also used in the liners of diapers and other hygiene products to repel moisture to keep the side next to the skin dry. EDXRF instruments have long been used for these applications.

Platinum Catalyst in Silicone Resin
Platinum catalysts are used in silicone as a curing agent. It is added at concentration in the 100PPM range and can be analyzed by EDXRF.

Phosphorus on Steel
Phosphate coatings are used to protect and pre-treat steels. They can be measured along with iron and manganese that is sometimes present. EDXRF is also used for monitoring the baths either by sampling it or by an on-line XRF instrument.

Sulfur and Phosphorus on Aluminum
Aluminum is coated or anodized by etching the surface with an acid. Acid bonds to the aluminum making it much harder. The coating can be measured by EDXRF by measuring the elemental sulfur or phosphorus on the surface. Alternatively it can be measured by an x-ray absorption technique since the aluminum signal decreases with thicker anodized coatings.

Copper on Silicon
Now that many silicon wafer fabricators are switching to copper, monitoring them with XRF is easier than ever. EDXRF is usable for on-line process monitoring.

Capacitors
Modern capacitors like tantalum capacitors are made by coating a thin polymer with a thin layer of metal, then the material is rolled to form the capacitor. Aluminum is the most common metal, with tantalum holding an important niche. A variety of polymers are used including polyester (Mylar), polypropylene, and polycarbonate. EDXRF instruments are ideal for monitoring the metal film thickness. The polymer thickness can also be measured using x-ray absorption techniques.

Metalized Food Packaging
Many foods are packed in foil pouches made from a polymer coated with metal. The oldest is aluminized Mylar, but titanium and zinc are common, and other polymers can be used. While light transmission is used for many thing coatings, EDXRF instruments are suitable for most applications, particularly with thicker coatings.

Solar Power Cells
Most solar cells use a thin coatings of a metal alloy on a polymer substrate. These coatings can be measured by EDXRF.

Conductive Coatings on Plastic
In order to comply with regulations on electrical noise, modern plastic cases for electronic equipment must be shielded. Shielding is often achieved by coating the plastic with a conductive layer. In many instances this layer can be analyzed by EDXRF.

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Metals represent a broad group of applications that are generally ideal for XRF. Almost all elements in every step of the process from ores to finished alloys can be excited and measured by XRF. Scrap metals are usually sorted by XRF as well, where the hand help instruments are a practical choice.

Alloy Analysis and Scrap Sorting
All alloys of virtually any shape and size are suitable for XRF analysis. Low cost hand held and benchtop instruments can be used to measure the major elements, while higher performance EDXRF instruments are best suited to measuring the trace elements too. Here are a few types of alloys that are commonly measured by EDXRF:
A. Iron
B. Steel - including low alloy and carbon Steel
C. Stainless Steel
D. Copper, brass, bronze, aluminum bronze, leaded brass and bronze
E. Aluminum
F. Nickel alloys - hastelloy, waspaloy
G. Zinc alloys
H. Cobalt alloys
I. Titanium alloys
J. Solders - tin, lead, and silver

Precious Metals
Precious metals are also frequently analyzed by EDXRF. Gold carat weight determination in jewelry, ingots, and scrap is a common application. Other metals like platinum, and silver can also be analyzed by EDXRF. Precious metal ores, particularly gold ore have been measured by EDXRF.

Ores, Slags, Feeds, Concentrates, and Tailings
XRF plays a roll at each step of the metal making process. Major and minor components are analyzed with EDXRF instruments, and can even be measured on-line in many cases.

Silicon Metal
Silicon is an important metal in the semiconductor industry, and high purity is demanded. EDXRF is often used often used to monitor high silicon sands for impurities, and can be used throughout the refining process and through wafer production. Specialized high performance EDXRF equipment is designed for wafer analysis.

Metal Foil Thickness
There seems to be a use for foils made from every conceivable elemental metal. The thickness of thin foils can be measured by EDXRF, and this application can be done on line.

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Geological type applications like raw minerals and mineral products like cement have long been the largest single market for XRF instrumentation.

Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Ca, and Fe in Cement, Clinker, and Raw Meal
Cement is a blend of several minerals. It is critical to control the elemental composition to control properties like strength setting time, and color. EDXRF is used to analyze the raw components, the raw meal, clinker, and finally finished cement.

Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, and Fe in Lime, Limestone, and Dolomite
Limestone is the major component of cement, and is converted into lime. It is one of the most common minerals and EDXRF is a popular method for analyzing it.

Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, and Fe in Sand and Glass
Sand is also a component of cement, but is mainly used in making glass. Low iron sand is particularly valuable for glassmaking, so it is an important sub-application.

Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Fe in Kaolin and other Clays
Clays are used in a variety of ceramic goods, bricks, and other finished products. Monitoring Ti and Fe content is important for color control, and low cost EDXRF devices can perform this analysis, while high-end EDXRF instruments can measure all the major elements.

Al, Si, Ti, and Fe in Bauxite
Bauxite is a mineral that is high in aluminum and is the most important source of aluminum for metal production.

P, S, Ca, Fe in Phosphate Rock and Fertilizer
Phosphate rock is the major source of phosphorus used in fertilizer and phosphoric acid production. EDXRF is commonly used to measure the rock, phos-acid solutions, and fertilizer.

Na, Mg, Al, Si, and Fe in Cement Wallboard
Cemented wallboards are stronger and more durable than pressed wood wallboard. The cement components in the board are analyzed by EDXRF instrument.

Ca, S in Gypsum
Both major and minor elements in gypsum can be measured by EDXRF.

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Museum curators, art historians, and archeologists must be constantly alert to forgeries. XRF is a great tool for them since it can identify the specific elemental composition of rare and valuable items without damaging them. The legacy of the material can be determined as well allowing archeologists to identify trade routes. Since many works of art and artifacts can be quite large and must be kept as intact as possible, very large open beam XRF analyzers are built for this application.

Paintings
Many paints contain metallic pigments such as cadmium or titanium, and even if the do not they may contain elements like calcium potassium and sulfur that can be used to identify a type of paint that an artist or tribe was known to use.

Metals
The study of developments in metals and metalworking, particularly metal jewelry, has long been important to archeology. XRF is an ideal instrument for metals analysis, since every element can be identified, and fundamental parameter methods work there best with alloys. Metal alloys and metal making techniques change over time so forgeries and reproductions can often be identified by a detailed compositional analysis.

Pottery and Ceramics
Ceramics contain elements that are usually indicative of a region, while glazes often contain metal dies that can be measured by EDXRF.

Precious Stones
The origin of precious stones can often be identified by their elemental composition. Rubies for example contain traces of vanadium that differ by a hundred PPM or more depending on their source.

Stone
It is usually possible to identify the quarry or region that stone comes from. Stone used in buildings or larger artwork like sculptures can be readily categorized by XRF. Artifacts made from stone, like flint points, axe heads, and shards can be identified by EDXRF. This information is useful for identifying trade routes.

Wood and Plant Derived Material
Wood and other plant material also contains a variety of elements such as sulfur, potassium and calcium that can be used for identification purposes. Items such as canvas, wicker, and fabric can also be analyzed by EDXRF and at least partially fingerprinted.

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Because XRF is a non-destructive method and can identify a vast number of elements simultaneously, it is an excellent tool for fingerprinting all kinds of materials analyzed in forensic analysis.

Crime Laboratory

Many materials can be identified and matched by analyzing their elemental fingerprint. Here are a few examples of material:
A. Paint
B. Glass
C. Ceramics
D. Metal
E. Soil
F. Plastic
G. Fabrics
H. Toxic Metals

Drug Analysis
XRF instrument are used to identify property and apparatus used in drug manufacturing particularly methamphetamines. Methamphetamine production usually leaves traces of phosphorus and iodine.

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There are numerous regulations in place that limit the amount of toxic compounds and metals that can be released into the atmosphere. EDXRF lends itself to many important analytical applications in support of these regulations.

EX-6600 AF - laboratory analyzer.

Air Filter Analysis
Internationally there are many air monitoring programs that look for respirable particulates in the air. They analyze for every conceivable element with close attention being paid to toxic metals. High-resolution EDXRF instruments with large quantity sample changers are made for this application.

On-site and Stack Air Monitoring
Workers are often exposed to toxic particulates in the air like lead or uranium. A portable air sampler can take field samples that can be analyzed by a portable or laboratory XRF instrument. Similar samples air taken at stacks to monitor industrial emissions. The sampling system can be integrated to make this an on-line application as well. Some elements such as sulfur can be measured directly in the vapor phase.

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There are numerous regulations in place that limit the amount of toxic compounds and metals that can be released into the atmosphere. EDXRF lends itself to many important analytical applications in support of these regulations.

Soil Screening and Analysis
At wood treating facilities chromium, arsenic and pentachlorophenol may seep into the ground; in plating shops it may be chromium, while toxic metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium contaminate numerous other sites. XRF is commonly used as a screening tool to identify grossly contaminated areas that must be remediated. Smaller benchtop EDXRF instruments might be used on site, while higher end instruments are used in the lab.

PCB's in soil
In areas of know PCB contamination where the soil is naturally low in chlorine, EDXRF can be used as a screening tool for PCB's.

Lead in Paint
Lead was long used in paint until it was found to be a leading cause of lead poisoning among children and people who work on the exteriors of older buildings. Thousands of hand held EDXRF instruments have been sold to meet lead in paint monitoring regulations.

Environment Applications: Water Pollution

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There are numerous regulations in place that limit the amount of toxic compounds and metals that can be released into the atmosphere. EDXRF lends itself to many important analytical applications in support of these regulations.

Waste Water
EDXRF can be used for analyzing metals in wastewater, such as silver emulsion from a photo lab.

Tissue Samples
Tissue samples are monitored for toxic metal contamination as a way to monitor the safety of the environment. Fish are commonly analyzed for metals like mercury in order to determine water quality and ascertain if the fish are edible.