Detection of beryllium by laser-induced-breakdown spectroscopy

Using the new technique of laser-induced-breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) a limit of detection was measured for beryllium in air of 0.5 ngg (ww), which is one-third of the OSHA limit for the 8-h average exposure to beryllium. Approximately linear working curves were obtained over the concentration range 0.5 to 2 × 104 ng g−1. The potential application of this technique to a beryllium monitoring instrument is discussed.