Environmental Samples:
Air, soil and water are three components of environment where determination of toxic contaminant is of extreme significance. Analysis of particulate matter within air from industrial establishments is the most representative study of environmental samples by atomic spectrometry.
Analysis of airborne particulate matter
In the analysis of airborne particulate matter, the selection of sample collection location and collection procedure is extremely important. For example samples may be collected from surrounding areas of a factory emitting harmful gases affecting workers health adversely or a residential colony located near industrial establishment where toxic pollutants may travel and thus affect general public. A measured volume of air is collected on a cellulose acetate membrane filter using air sampler. Weighed amount of particulate matter is scratched out of the filter paper or the filter paper itself may be drying ashed in a low temperature furnace so as to avoid loss of volatile elements. The particulate matter or ash is then dissolved using acid digestion method and heating on hot plate. The final solution is prepared in dilute HCl and making up final volume to a fixed volume. Appropriate hollow cathode lamps are chosen depending on the elements to be determined and respective standard solutions are prepared. Calibration plots should be drawn for each element to be determined and the test solution is aspirated. Thus concentration of desired elements in air dust particulate matter may be determined. Results are usually reported in terms of µ g/m3 of air.