SUSPENDED PARTICULATES IN THE JAMAICAN ATMOSPHERE

The results of a survey of air particulates at 23 sites across Jamaica for total suspended particulates (TSP), Al, Br, Cl, Na, Pb, and V, by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and X-ray fluorescenc e analysis (XRF) are reported. The geometric mean of TSP values, 35 mu g m(-3), is well within the World Health Organisation's standard of 6 0 mu g m(-3) for TSP, but in areas of high vehicular traffic density t he TSP values exceeded this limit. The correlation coefficient between Br and Pb concentrations in the particulates was 0.92 and the Br/Pb r atio of 0.38 compares well with a ratio of 0.39 found in commercial pe trol indicating that the exhaust from vehicular traffic is the major s ource of Pb in atmospheric particulate matter in Jamaica.