Trace elements in the atmospheric particulate of Milan and suburban areas. A study carried out by INAA

A preliminary part of a study initiated for monitoring the trace element levels in the atmosfere particulate of the city of Milan (north Italy) and of its suburban areas is presented. More than 25 elements were detd. along a period of 3 yr and in different weather conditions. The granulometric distribution of selected potentially toxic elements (such as V, Pb, Cd, Ni) was also detd. to evaluate their concns. in different inhalable fractions (alveolar and bronchial-tracheal). ree. Instrumental neutron activation anal. (INAA) was used for the determination of the great part of the elements while graphite furnace at. absorption spectroscopy (GF-AAS) was employed for the detn. of Pb and, in some cases, for Ni, Cd, and Cu.