INAA OF TOXIC HEAVY-METALS IN SOLID-WASTES FROM INDIAN CITIES

Solid wastes and sewage sludges in metropolitan cities are potential h ealth hazards due to toxic heavy metal pollutants. Sewage sludges from six Indian cities viz., Ahmedabad, Bikaner, Bombay, Calcutta, Jaipur, Kanpur and solid wastes from six different disposal sites of the capi tal city of Delhi have been analyzed for 26 elements (As, Au, Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Eu, Fe, Hg, Hf, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Th and Zn) by employing instrumental neutron activation analys is (INAA). Sewage sludges from Bombay after different treatments (sett led, digested, aerobic, anaerobic) along with several environmental SR Ms were also analyzed. An attempt has been made to attribute the pollu tant sources to the degree of urbanisation and industrialization of th e city. Role of treatment processes in the removal/retention of heavy metals is discussed.