Heavy Metals in Airborne Particulate Matter of Urban Coimbatore
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AbstractExposures to airborne metals are known to cause
physiological responses in organisms and wide-ranging health
effects in humans. Hence determination of metals in particulate
matter is important from a toxicological perspective. In the
current study heavy metals associated with respirable (RSPM)
and nonrespirable (NRSPM) fractions of suspended particulate
matter were estimated in air samples from six stations in
Coimbatore, India, during March 1999 to February 2001. The
mean quantity of heavy metals in RSPM was in the order Zn >
Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd. Concentrations of these heavy
metals were in the range of BDL (below detectable level) to
2147 ng/m3 in RSPM. The highest level of lead (2147 ng/m3)
was recorded at an industrial station. The station also had the
highest mean value (481 ± 544.3 ng/m3), suggesting the importance
of industrial operations in determining the ambient
concentrations of lead. Significant positive correlation among
metals excepting lead and copper suggests that they originate
mostly from a common source. Air samples of urban and
industrial areas showed higher concentrations than residential
(Urban) and suburban areas.