Determination of heavy metals in house dust samples, Adapazarı, using flame AAS technique

DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METALS IN HOUSE DUST SAMPLES, ADAPAZARI, USING FLAME AAS TECHNIQUE SUMMARY Keyword: Heavy Metal, House Dust, AAS, Adapazarı. The present study reports on heavy metal pollution in house dust samples collected after 1999 Adapazarı earthquake. A total of 80 samples were collected in predetermined houses and control samples collected from non-effected areas throughout Adapazarı during the period May, 2000 to October, 2000 and analysed for Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method after wet digestion. The sampling sites were divided into eight categories, including the control site. Concentration of heavy metals in such house dusts are extremely variable. Dust levels were observed to increased a lot after earthquake because of the reconstruction of city roads, sewage and water pipes, demolishing of damaged buildings, etc. Thus, the result showed that the levels of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni in houses on the streets with heavy traffic were found to be increased. IX