Elemental composition studies of fugitive and ambient air dust particulates from a thermal power station by instrumental neutron activation analysis

In order to assess the source of pollutants and the atmosphere quality in and around a thermal power plant, fugitive dust particulates from seven different locations and ambient air dust from six locations have been analyzed for 32 elements (As, Au, Ba, Br, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Eu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, W and Yb) by employing instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The method involves the irradiation of samples and comparator standards in a thermal neutron flux range of 10¹²–10¹³ n·cm^–2·s^–1 in a nuclear reactor for 10 min and 1 day followed by high resolution -spectrometry. Wide differences have been observed in the mean elemental concentrations of Fe, Co, Br, Mn, As, P. Ba and Cu in fugitive and ambient dust particulates coliected from these different locations. Further, a comparison of the elemental contents of the dust particulates from the plant with environmental standards (Urban Particulate Matter, Coal Fly Ash, Vehicle Exhaust and Coal) show significantly lower or comparable amounts of toxic and pollutant elements in the environmental samples.     

Multielemental neutron activation analysis of fugitive dust particulates from cement factories in Central India

Knowledge of occurrence and concentration of trace elements in dust particulates from and around industrial establishments is essential to know the source of pollutants and atmosphere quality. Dust particulates from two cement factories in the central part of India were analyzed for 5 minor (Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Na) and 23 trace elements (Ag, As, Ba, Br, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Dy, Eu, Ga, Hf, Hg, La, Mn, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Th, W and Zn) by INAA and RNAA techniques. Significant differences have been observed for some toxic trace elements at different locations. Mn content is particularly high in all the dust particulates. Urban particulate (SRM 1648) and Coal fly ash (SRM 1633a) from NIST and Pond sediment (CRM No. 2) from NIES were also analyzed. The data have been analyzed and interpreted in terms of air quality at different locations inside the plant and two factories.     

Nondestructive multi-element determination of air particulates in Hong Kong

Nondestructive neutron activation analysis employing reactor neutrons and a Ge(Li) gamma-spectrometer has been used to determine the trace element level of air particulates in various areas of Hong Kong. Comparison of the average concentrations of the trace elements of air particulates was made among industrial, heavy-traffic and residential areas. It was found that industrial areas have higher concentrations of Co, Cr, Hg, Mn and Zn, while heavy-traffic areas have very high concentrations of Br. Comparison of the pollution level of Hong Kong with other cities was also made. The average concentrations of Co, Cr, Hg, Zn and Br of air particulates in Hong Kong were found to have higher values than those of other cities. Finally, daily variation of the trace element level in a special area (Hung Hom) had been studied, but no significant variation was found.     

Elemental compositions of atmospheric particulates collected in Japan from 2002 to 2004

Chemical compositions of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in atmosphere collected at Hachioji and Sakata in Japan from 2002 to 2004 were determined by prompt gamma-ray analysis and instrumental neutron activation analysis. About 40 elemental concentrations in SPM could be determined, and enrichment factors and elemental correlations were examined. Several elements such as Cl, Cr, Ag, Sb, and W were largely different between Hachioji and Sakata, although their sources are not clear at present.     

Elemental bioaccumulators in air pollution studies

k₀-Based instrumental neutron activation analysis (k₀ INAA) was used to determine the concentrations of Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Sb and Hg in the vascular plantsCistus salvifolius andInula viscosa and in the lichenParmelia sulcata. The samples were collected in the neighbourhood of industrial complexes. The elemental accumulation in the vascular plants and the lichen are compared to optimize the choice of the bioaccumulator. It is concluded thatP. sulcata seems to be the best accumulator of the three species for the elements studied;Cistus salvifolius is sensitive to the contents of Zn, Fe, Cr and Sb in the air;Inula viscosa seems to accumulate Fe, Sb, Co, Cr and Zn. Nevertheless, it is concluded that lichen is a good air pollution indicator, while the vascular plants are not due to the large seasonal variations found in the elemental concentrations.     

A comparative study of trace elements in water from various sources in surrounding areas of Nagpur city (India) by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) has been used for the determination of 27 elements (Ag, Au, Ba, Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Hf, K, La, Mn, Na, Sb, Sc, Se Sr, Th, P, Ta, Tb, Zn and Zr) in 15 water samples collected from different sources (reservoirs, well, borewell, sewage tank, river, rain) in and around Nagpur city (central India) including doubly distilled and a sea water sample from Bombay. Sample residues after evaporation were irradiated at a thermal neutron flux of 10¹²–10¹³ n·cm^–2·s^–1 for 10 min, 1d and 1wk and counted using a HPGe detector and an 4k MCA at different intervals. Several environmental standards from NIST (USA), NIES (Japan) and USGS rock were also analysed for quality assurance. Wide variations in elemental concentrations have been observed in water samples from different sources. Most elemental concentrations in drinking water from various sources, are within ISI/WHO limits. Sea water showed very high concentrations of Ba, Cr, Co, Fe, Hg, Sb, Se and Zn. For doubly distilled and rain waters, however, very low elemental concentrations of Ba, Ce, Fe, Sc, Hg, Se, Sr and Th were observed.     

The installation of KAYZERO-assisted NAA for use in industry and environmental sanitation in three Central European countries: Plans and achievements of a COPERNICUS project

Solid wastes and sewage sludges in metropolitan cities are potential health 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 capital 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 analysis (INAA). Sewage sludges from Bombay after different treatments (settled, digested, aerobic, anaerobic) along with several environmental SRMs were also analyzed. An attempt has been made to attribute the pollutant sources to the degree of urbanisation and industrialization of the city. Role of treatment processes in the removal/retention of heavy metals is discussed.     

Dietary intake of 25 elements by man estimated by neutron activation analysis

The trace element content of the total daily diet (food and beverages) of each of 4 adult males was determined over a period of one week. A method of radiochemical neutron activation analysis is briefly described which enables the determination of up to 31 elements in biological samples. Of the 25 elements determined in the diet 12 are essential elements (Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Na, Se, Zn) while 6 (As, Ba, Br, Cd, Hg, Sb) are classified as toxic. The average concentrations of the toxic trace elements As, Cd and Hg of the diet are below the provisional tolerable dietary intakes recommended by WHO/FAO. The contents of Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na and Zn are adequate to the proposed nutritional requirements.     

Neutron activation analysis of saliva: Application in clinical chemistry,environmental and occupational toxicology

The contents of 21 chemical elements (Ag, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, N, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Zn) in mixed non-stimulated saliva of 52 relatively healthy people were assessed by activation using 14 MeV neutrons and nuclear reactor neutrons. The study included 45 women and 7 men, aged 18 to 35. The dependence of salivary composition upon sex, age, time-of-day and time-of-year was studied. The saliva of 22 men, involved in the clean up operation after the Chernobyl accident, was also studied. There existed clear circadian variations in the amount of Na, Sc and Cr contained in the saliva and a tendency to circadian variations for the amount of Cl, Co, Br and Rb. Neither sex, age, nor time-of-year influenced the contents of 21 chemical elements examined. The only exception to this finding was with Hg, whose content increases with age. The analysis of the cleaners' saliva made it possible to find considerable metabolic changes of Ca and some other chemical elements.     

Radioactivation analysis of hair a means of biological monitoring of the environment

With the aim of indicating environmental pollution effects by heavy metals on humans using hair, nondestructive activation analysis was applied to 382 normal Japanese hair samples (background level). Elemental contents of hair could be determined for Ag, Al, As, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Ti, V and Zn. As these elements in hair have wide concentration ranges, the differences in concentrations distribution between groups (sex, age, permanent treatment and regional difference) are discussed. A method for hair sampling is presented.     

Determination of elemental levels in medicinally important Indian leaves by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Levels of As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hg, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Th, Zn, and U have been determined in ten leaves widely used in ayurvedic medicine by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The neutron irradiations were performed with a 100 kW Triga nuclear reactor and the induced activity was counted with a gamma-ray spectrometer. Based on elemental levels obtained the utility of these leaves in medicine are discussed.     

Analysis of FDA in-house food reference materials with anticoincidence INAA

In-house reference material (IRM) cocoa powder (CCP) has been in use at US Food and Drug Administration laboratories for about 15 years. A single lot of commercial material was originally characterized for 32 elements by several laboratories and five techniques. A unique approach for basis weight determination based upon ambient relative humidity was developed for CCP, eliminating the need for dry weight determinations. The CCP Reference Sheet is updated by incorporating new results approximately every 5 years. The last update occurred in 2006. As part of an effort to revalidate and update values for CCP, anticoincidence instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used to determine mass fractions for 16 of the originally characterized elements, as well as to provide information on 16 other elements. Results were in very good agreement with 2006 Reference Sheet values. A new candidate IRM, fresh-frozen swordfish (FFSF) powder, was produced by adding inorganic As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Sb, and Se to liquid nitrogen-frozen commercial swordfish filets which were then homogenized. Portions of FFSF were analyzed by INAA to provide mass fraction and homogeneity information for As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Sb, and Se as well as for eight other elements occurring naturally in the material. Non-homogeneities were ≤2.5 % for As, Br, Cd, and Cs, and ≤1.8 % for Cr, Hg, Rb, Sb, and Se. Certified reference materials DORM-3 Fish Protein powder and fresh-frozen SRM 1947 Lake Michigan Fish Tissue were analyzed as controls.     

Determination of minor, trace and toxic elements in chewing tobacco products by instrumental neutron activation analysis and identification of glutamic acid

Tobacco smoking/chewing has been a cause of concern because of it being related with oral cancer. It causes stimulation and ill physiological effects. Ten different brands of spit tobacco, eight gutkaas and five paan masalas have been analyzed for seven minor (Al, Na, K, Ca, Cl, Mg, and P) and 17 trace (As, Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Eu, Fe, Hg, La, Mn, Rb, Sb, Sc, Th, and Zn) elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Also Ni and Pb were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Concentration of Cd was below detection limit (<10?mg?kg^?1) in the tobacco samples. Mg, generally added as MgCO₃ to prevent caking, is present as minor constituent in spit tobacco and gutkaas but is below detection limit (<1?g?kg^?1) in paan masalas. Most elemental concentrations vary in a wide range depending on the nature of chewing tobacco. Spit tobacco has been found to be more enriched in essential elements (Ca, K, Na, P, Mn, and Rb), whereas gutkaas contain higher concentrations of Fe, Cr, Cu, and Zn. Paan masalas contain lower contents of other elements but higher content of Hg. Gutkaas also contain higher amounts of As and Pb. Further glutamic acid has been separated from tobacco leaves and characterized as it might bind with some elements.     

Elemental content in wheat products of Al-Qusim region, Saudi Arabia using the INAA technique

Wheat is one of the most grown crops in Saudi Arabia. It is grown in various regions of the country. Accurate knowledge of the elemental concentrations in wheat and its products (bran and flour) is of great importance from a nutritional point of view. Wheat samples were obtained from the Al-Qusim region, 300 km northwest of Riyadh, and analyzed. Up to 50 elements (Al, Sb, As, Ba, Br, Cd, Ca, Cs, Cl, Cr, Co, Cu, Ga, Au, Hf, In, I, Ir, Fe, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, K, Rb, Sc, Se, Ag, Na, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Sn, Ti, W, U, V, Zn, Zr, Ce, Dy, Eu, La, Lu, Nd, Sm, Tb and Yb) were determined in the wheat products. It was observed that the elemental content of bran was much higher than that of white flour.     

Determination of trace element levels in polyethylene by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Elements Al, As, Au, Br, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Mn, Mo, Na, Sb, Sc, Sm, V, and Zn were determined by INAA in several brands and batches of high pressure polyethylene (PE) Bralen (Slovnaft Bratislava, Czechoslovakia). A large scatter of trace element contents was found in both granules and foils, indicating an inhomogeneous distribution for the majority of the above mentioned elements present as impurities in PE. Larger amounts of the elements Al, Mn, and Sb were found in foils than in granules. Blank values resulting from using of PE Bralen as a canning material for INAA were compared to trace element concentration in human hair samples, too.     

INAA of trace elements in Indian vegetarian diet and its adequacy vis-a-vis Recommended Dietary Allowances

There has been an increasing awareness conceming the adequacy of trace elements in diet as their deficiency or excess may cause abnormal changes in the biochemical processes. Typical Indian vegetarian diet and dietary components such as cereals, grains, pulses, vegetables and spices have been analysed for 19 elements (Br, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Th and Zn) by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Several Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) were analysed for quality assurance. Based on the elemental contents, the daily dietary intake has been calculated and the data compared with those from other countries, Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and permissible body burden. It has been observed that, although vegetarian, the Indian diet has an adequate content of essential trace elements compared to non-vegetarian oriental (Japan and Taiwan) and western (Germany, Denmark and USA) diets.     

Levels, risk assessment and sources of PM10 fraction heavy metals in four types dust from a coal-based city

The concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb in PM₁₀ fraction of four types of dust in a coal-based city, Fushun were detected by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. Results showed that most of the average concentrations for 11 metals in dust were higher than Chinese soil background values, especially for Cu, Zn, Hg, Cd and Pb with higher pollution index values. The re-suspended dust from residential and school building surfaces showed middle and high level of pollution by geoaccumulation index assessment which should raise attention as their potential health risk to local residenter and students. Six hotspots were found from spatial distribution analysis, locating at the northeast corner, central area close to mines, southwest area adjacent to an expressway, northeast area close to power plants, the city center and the industrial district reflecting the influence of agricultural activities, mining activities, vehicle emission, coal combustion and industrial activities. Correlation and principal component analysis showed accordant results indicating that vehicle emission, industrial activities, coal combustion and crustal materials were the main sources for heavy metals in PM₁₀ fraction of fugitive dust in Fushun.     

A particle-size specific elemental mass balance for the apportionment of ambient aerosol

Photon and thermal neutron activation analysis were used to determine the concentrations of up to thirty elements in aerosol samples collected by cascade impactor in Toronto, Canada during the period July to December of 1985. Examination of the particle-size distributions thus obtained led to the development of a new receptor model. A size-specific elemental mass balance (SSEMB) was used to apportion the mean ambient Pb aerosol concentration amongst four contributing sources as follows: secondary lead refinery emissions (46%), refuse incineration (28%), automotive exhaust (25%) and re-entrained soil and dust (<1%). The predicted concentrations of Al, As, Br, Na, Pb, Sb, and Zn agreed with observed concentrations to within a factor of two for most elements in most particle size fractions.     

Microwave assisted digestion of atmospheric aerosol samples followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry determination of trace elements

A microwave digestion method in a closed vessel was developed for the determination of trace metals in atmospheric aerosols using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A recovery study for the elements V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sb, and Pb was conducted using multi-elemental standard solutions, NIST 1633b Trace Elements in Coal Fly Ash, and NIST 1648 Urban Particulate Matter. A simple digestion method using only HNO3/H2O2 gave good recoveries (90%-108%) for all elements except Cr in SRM 1648, but yielded low recoveries for SRM 1633b. A more robust method using HNO3/H2O2/HF/H3BO3 yielded higher recoveries (82%-103%) for the lighter elements (V-Zn) in SRM 1633b, and improved the Cr recovery in SRM 1648, but decreased the Se recovery in both SRMs. A comparative analysis of aerosol samples obtained at a remote mountain location Nathiagali, Pakistan (2.5 km above mean sea level), and Mayville, New York, downwind from the highly industrialized Midwestern United States, was carried out using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) for the elements Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Se, and Sb. The simple digestion method yielded excellent agreement for Cr, Fe, Zn, As, Se, and Sb, with slopes of the ICP-MS vs. INAA regressions of 0.90-1.00 and R2 values of 0.96-1.00. The regressions for Mn and Co had slopes of 0.82 and 0.84 with R2 values of 0.83 and 0.82, respectively. Addition of HF/H3BO3 did not improve the correlation for any of the elements and degraded the precision somewhat. The technique provides sensitivity and accuracy for trace elements in relatively small aerosol samples used in atmospheric chemistry studies related to SO2 oxidation in cloud droplets. The ability to determine concentrations of a very large number of elements from a single analysis will permit source apportionment of various trace pollutants and hence strategies to control the sources of air pollution. This is particularly important as the health effects of particulate matter are increasingly recognized.     

Study of hair element content from an urban Bulgarian population using NAA assessment of environmental status

In this preliminary study, scalp hair samples from 36 individuals resident in Sofia, Bulgaria, were analysed and Ag, Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, F, Fe, Hg, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W, and Zn were determined. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) methods were used. Three washing procedures.: distilled-deionised water; acidacetone-water; and Triton X-100 detergent-water, showed a variable elemental change strongly dependent on the procedure used. More than 18 elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cs, F, Fe, I, K, La, Mo, Na, Ni, Sb, Sc, Sr and V) were easily removed by water-washing. Triton X-100 detergent was more effective in removing Ag, As, Au, Cl, Cs, K, Na and Rb; but not Hg. Only S and Zn were strongly incorporated in the hair structure (less than 10% being removable by any washing technique). There is no significant age correlation with any element between the various hair treatment groups. Elevated cadmium levels were found in the hair of smokers (0.711–4.913 g/g Cd) compared with nonsmokers (0.568–2.681 g/g Cd). Comparison of the elemental data for distilled water-washed hair and studies from Oxford, England and Hastings, and Hastings, New Zealand (using the same INAA method) revealed interesting variations dependent on local industrial and nutritional factors.