DETERMINATION OF AIRBORNE LEAD AND CADMIUM COLLECTED ON GLASS-FIBER FILTERS BY DIFFERENTIAL-PULSE ANODIC-STRIPPING VOLTAMMETRY

Differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry with a mercury microel ectrode is used for the determination of lead and cadmium in airborne particle matter from three sites representing different urban conditio ns. Airborne metals collected on a large-area glass fibre filter using a high-flow-rate pump are mineralised with nitric acid in autoclaves. Results for lead and cadmium concentrations are reported. Lead shows the highest concentrations at all sites (up to 2600 ng/m3). Traffic is confirmed as the main source of this pollutant. The reliability of th e method is tested by comparison with the results obtained with atomic absorption spectrometry; the differences were within 5-30%.