Airborne Metals in Urban Areas

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Abstract
The concentration of nine metals (T1, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cr, Zr, V, Ni, Cd) was measured by ICP in airborne particulate matter. Two hundred samples were collected in 7 sampling sites selected according to specific emissions existing in the areas. Results confirmed the usefulness of multi-element analyses to identify major sources of pollution. The following associations were evidentiated. Steel plant: Fe, Mn, Cr; Urban incinerator: Cd, Mn; Traffic: Pb, Mn; Oil combustion: V, Ni; Cement plant: T1. The research has also given useful information about mean levels of exposure to toxic and cancerogenic metals in the quarters of Genoa.