CONCENTRATIONS AND SOURCES OF CADMIUM, COPPER, LEAD AND ZINC IN-HOUSEDUST IN CHRISTCHURCH, NEW-ZEALAND

The amounts (mug m-2) and concentrations (mug g-1) of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc have been measured in house dust in Christchurch, New Z ealand. For 120 houses surveyed the geometric mean concentrations of t he four metals are 4.24 mug g-1, 165 mug g-1, 573 mug g-1 and 10400 mu g g-1, respectively. In addition eleven variables, such as house age, carpet wear and traffic density, were recorded for each property and t he results analysed with respect to their effects on the amounts and c oncentrations of the four elements. The amounts of all the metals were highly correlated with the overall dustiness of the houses, which was found to be predominantly determined by the degree of carpet wear. No one dominant source of cadmium was identified, although several minor sources including carpet wear, galvanized iron roofs and red/orange/y ellow coloured carpets were implicated. Petrol lead and lead-based pai nts were identified as significant sources of lead in house dust. Rubb er carpet underlays or backings were identified as a significant sourc e of zinc, with some contribution from galvanized iron roofs. Road tra ffic and probably the existence of a fire place appear to contribute t o the copper levels.