AIRBORNE LEAD IN THE SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, AREA DURING A 19-YEAR PERIOD (1975-1993)

Concentrations of airborne lead at Springfield, Missouri, in 1975-1993 have been determined by analysis of particulate material collected on glass-fiber filters during the 19-year period. Nitric acid-soluble le nd in 1100 samples collected at a total of 19 monitoring stations was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and by differential pulse polarography. Ambient concentrations of airborne lead were found to d ecrease steadily (by more than 90%) during this period in spite of inc reases in area population and in automobile traffic. The decrease Is s ignificantly correlated with national trends in total emissions of lea d to the atmosphere and with US ambient lead levels. Airborne lead fro m a coal-fired power plant was small compared with that from gasoline burning. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.