Application of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in the textile industry

In the present study, the determination of arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, nickel, mercury and zinc in various cloth samples produced in Kayseri-Turkey was performed after extraction with artificial sweat solution and decomposition with nitric acid. TXRF is shown to be suitable for the determination of 7 trace elements, down to the 0.001 (cobalt) to 0.004 (copper) mg/kg level in textile extract except for mercury and cadmium. The extractable part of the toxic metals by artificial sweat solution is relatively low. In a few extracts the concentration values of Pb and Ni have exceeded their critical values of 0.2 mg/kg for lead and 1.0 mg/kg for nickel given by Oko-Tex and determined for babys cloths. In addition, it was observed that the element pattern of textile samples resembled 'finger print type', TXRF-spectra. This technique can also be used for the identification of textile sample in forensic investigation.