Multi-element, multi-media method for the determination of airborne elemental emissions by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

The exposure of people to airborne emissions of toxic elements, particularly lead, is well documented. The approach in most studies has been to examine the concentrations of a single element in the air or in the blood of the local population. In urban industrialized settings there can often be many sources of a particular element and the element may not be released alone. In order to establish a full risk assessment and determine the source of emissions, it is important to determine all toxic elements in a variety of media. This paper presents a single analytical procedure for the determination of 16 toxic elements in solids, soils, wipes and glass-fibre filters. The procedure includes adapting an acid digestion method (USEPA SW 846 Method 3050B) and analysis of the digestate by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (USEPA SW 846 Method 6010B). All 16 elements were determined in this medium over several orders of magnitude. Accurate and precise results were obtained to less than 5 ng m^–3. The procedure compared well with established procedures for lead.