XRF analysis of lead in suspended air particulate matter collected using glass fibre filter

V. SBARATO; R.D. PÉREZ; M. RUBIO; H. J. SÁNCHEZ

Advances in Destructive and Non-Destructive Analysis for Environmental Monitoring and Nuclear Forensics V.

Año: 2003; p. 233 - 242

A new method for X ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry determination of leadin suspended particulate matter collected from air in glass fibre filters is described. Since1997, total suspended particulate matter has been collected in Córdoba City, Argentina,in compliance with a United States Environmental Protection Agency standard, in orderto monitor ambient air quality.This standard is the most frequently referred to in termsof environmental regulation in Córdoba. In accordance with Title 40 of the Code ofFederal Regulations, samples have been taken using high volume equipment with glassfibre filters. The method was developed in order to minimize matrix and grain sizeeffects, in comparison with data obtained by direct irradiation of the filter surface. Thedetection limit obtained is 0.3 ng/m3 for lead in air.The procedure can be applied to thedetermination of various high and low atomic number elements in such samples. Datadetermined by XRF spectrometry were compared with those obtained by analyticalelectrochemistry. All information shows that lead is not a serious pollutant of air inCórdoba City.