THE EFFECT OF URBAN POLLUTION ON LEAD LEVELS IN AIR OF THE CITY OF VALENCIA (SPAIN) - MAY-1989 OCTOBER-1990

The concentration of lead was determined in 583 samples of airborne pa rticulate matter from the city of Valencia (Spain) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Atmospheric particulates were collect ed with membrane filters (0.8 mu m) using low volume samplers (approx. 2 m(3)/day) at nine different sites over a period of one year. A rela tion between the traffic flow and the level of lead pollution was obse rved. The highest values of lead appeared during the autumn and the lo west in summer. The mean lead concentration in the atmosphere in Valen cia was higher than the European Community (EC) limit (2 mu g/m(3)) fr om November 1989 to March 1990. The annual average lead level in the c ity of Valencia was 2 mu g/m(3), equal to the EC limit.