Determination of heavy metals in textile materials by atomic absorption spectrometry: Verification of the test method

The objective of this research was to identify the analytical steps affecting the quantitative assessment for the determination of heavy metals in textile materials and to test the selected extraction conditions, with the intent of developing a standardized and shared method that would help promote textile products, both in terms of safety for the environment and health of citizens, and of safety for workers exposed during the production process and for end users. The method was applied to a textile materials dyed with a chromium dyestuff at two different concentrations. The metals analyzed were total Cr and Cr VI. The extraction was carried out by means of the artificial perspiration solution, according to the standard adopted by the most important textile ecolabelling schemes operating in the European market. The extract was filtered under vacuum and analyzed by means of atomic absorption spectrometry for total Cr and UV-Visible spectroscopy for Cr VI. The tests were carried out varying some extraction parameters as temperature of the solution, time of contact and material-to-liquor ratio extraction. Finally the metal extraction profit was derived by the determination of total chromium in the ashes. The results show that the quantity of total chromium and CrVI extracted is affected principally by the temperature of the solution and by the material-to-liquor ratio extraction, and less by the time of contact. The percentage of metal extraction profit vary according to the extraction conditions, from 32% to 44%.