Determination of toxic metal concentrations in city dust and air samples

In spite of higher amounts of the intake toxic metals by inhalation are observed by blood than by nutrition, there are less study on the determinations of metals in air samples than in food samples. Among the reasons of this situation, the difficulty in obtaining air sample and very lower metal concentrations in air samples can be considered. In this study, air samples in center of Elazığ city were obtained by using the mechanism constituted from generator, air blower and washing flask. So, the metals in air samples were remained in absorption solution. The suspensions of thiourea sulfonamide polimeric resin, XAD-7-PAR and activated carboncupferron were used as absorption solution, sequentially. After filteration, decomposition and centrifugitation, the metals were determined by means of Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Furthermore, metal analysis in surface dusts obtained from the study area were carried out and evaluated together with. As it can be seen from the results, Pb and Ni emitted from chimney of central heating system were found as significantly higher than the other sources. While Fe and Cu concentration in air samples are not depending on season, higher Pb, Ni and Zn concentrations were found in winter in compared to in summer season. In addition, it was found that metal concentrations in air can enhance in storm weathers. Due to metals in surface dusts can be passed to inhaled air at the storm weathers, metal concentrations in some surface dusts were found to be higher than the allowable metal concentrations. Keywords: Toxic metals, Air Analysis, Atomic Absorption, Dust Analysis, Preconcentration.