OBJECTIVETo establish a method for rapid detecting nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide(NO2) in the workplace air with infrared spectrometer.

METHODSThe method of infrared spectrometer was developed to detect nitrogen oxide in laboratory, then applied to detect the concentration of nitrogen oxide in workplace air. The present method was compared with National Standard Methods.

RESULTSNO and NO2 in air were detected simultaneously with the infrared spectrometer, not interfering each other. In standard condition, the minimum detectable concentrations of NO and NO2 were 0.67 and 1.03 mg/m3, the inferior limits of concentrations were 0.67 and 1.03 mg/m3 respectively. When the concentrations of NO and NO2 were 0.67-133.93 mg/m3 and 1.03-102.68 mg/m3, the accuracy and precision of detection were higher. As compared with National Standard Methods, the ratio of the results of two methods was 86.96% and 112.56%.

CONCLUSIONThe method of infrared spectrometer is a rapid, simple and accurate method for detecting the concentrations of nitrogen oxide in the workplace air.