2024 Volume 17 Issue 2 Pages 87-92
It is well known that excessive intake of metals can affect human health. Metals, such as chromium and nickel, have different toxic properties depending on their chemical form and water solubility. The solubility and toxicity mechanisms of particles containing these metals are unknown when they are inhaled into the body. In this study, we investigated the experimental conditions of water dialysis using a polycarbonate membrane filter to collect particles and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for observation. Water dialysis is a method for determining the composition and mixture state of water-soluble and -insoluble components of individual particles in the atmospheric environment field. The following experimental procedures were suggested as the most suitable for water dialysis: 1) applying a carbon coating to the polycarbonate membrane filter (thickness of approximately 5 nm before collecting particles and approximately 2 nm after collecting particles); 2) after observation with a SEM, a hydrophilic treatment was applied to the specimen stub fixed with a piece of the filter. The stub was soaked in ultrapure water for approximately two hours; 3) subsequently, the stub was dried in a desiccator for more than 24 hours. Following these treatments, the same areas on the filter that were analyzed before the dialysis were observed with the SEM again.
