TRACE-ELEMENTS IN DRINKING-WATER COOLERS COLLECTED FROM PRIMARY-SCHOOLS, RIYADH, SAUDI-ARABIA

A simple method for the spectrochemical analysis of water samples by i nductively coupled plasma spectrometry is described. Samples from drin king water coolers in 32 schools in Riyadh were collected at a specifi c time during a typical school day and analyzed for aluminum (Al), ber yllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Go), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), ir on (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), silicon (Si), s trontium (Sr), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) to ascertain the water qual ity. The analysis of drinking water showed high concentrations of meta ls and in some cases exceeded the guideline limits recommended by EEC and WHO.