Destructive neutron-activation analysis of toxic elements in suspended materials released from refuse incinerators

Abstract

Trace element concentrations in the fly-ash collected from a municipal solid waste refuse incinerator have been determined using both instrumental and radiochemical neutron-activation analysis. A method for sample dissolution and subsequent selective and quantitative radiochemical separation for the determination of mercury, selenium, arsenic, chromium and cadmium is presented. Results obtained in the determination of iron, zinc, bromine, cobalt, caesium, scandium, vanadium, selenium and chromium by instrumental neutron-activation analysis are also reported.