Determination of the trace element levels in atmospheric pollutants by neutron activation analysis

An investigation of the potentials of neutron activation analysis for the routine analysis of trace elements present in atmospheric pollutants is discussed. Various techniques including sequential air sampling, multiple neutron irradiation, high resolution γ-ray spectrometry, chemical isolation, high flux neutron irradiation and X-ray spectrometry have been employed to determine the levels of Pb, Al, V, I, Cl, Mn, Cu, Br, Na, La, Mo, Au, Cr, Fe, Ni, Se, Zn, Ag and Co in atmospheric pollutants. The results of the analysis of nearly two hundred samples collected from the Buffalo New York area during 1968–1969 are reported. Presented at the Fourth Annual Conference on Trace Substances in Environmental Health, University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri, USA (June, 1970).