Air pollution biomonitoring in Argentina, application of the TXRF análisis to the study of biomonitoring

WANNAZ, E.D.; CARRERAS, H. A.; PEREZ, C.A.; PIGNATA, M.L.

Activity Report/Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory

Año: 2001 p. 170 - 171

1518-0204

Although a significant deterioration of ambient air quality in Argentina, caused by the locally and regionally high air pollutant emissions (from different kinds of sources) has been observed for a long time, the installation of air-monitoring networks did not take place until the 90’s and only in a few cities. Major air pollution problems are occurring at urban and industrial centres, however they can also be observed at remote sites as a consequence of agricultural practices and mineral mining and processing.     Thus, the use of air pollution biomonitors represents an important contribution to Argentina where measurements of particulate matter or other types of pollutants in big areas would require expensive technical equipment, not available in the country at this moment.          In this project, we set to assess the use of biomonitors to evaluate trace element and heavy metals pollutant levels over a wide geographic area of Argentina and to establish baseline values.