Heavy metal in inhalable and respirable particles in urban atmosphere

Abstract

Human activities in Sapele are veritable sources of particulate pollution which are exuded into the atmosphere. These activities include bush burning which is one of the pre-planting activities, transportation, gas flaring, incineration of wastes refuse disposal and the use of wood as a source of fuel. The objective of this study is to determine the concentration of the trace metal in particulate matter captured in glass fibre filter paper. High volume sampler was used to collect the respirable and inhalable suspended particulate matter at ten different sites located in Sapele, from December 2010 to April 2011. The foam and the glass fibre filter were analysed for nine (Mn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu, Co, Fe, and Pb) respectively by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). The concentration of the respirable particle ranged from 104.17 to 145.83μg/m3 while the inhalable concentration ranged from 166.67 to 812.50μg/m3. From the analysis the element Cd was moderately enriched.