The Accurate Measurement of Cadmium in Airborne Particulates

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Abstract
The accurate and rapid measurement of cadmium in airborne particulates is described, with particular reference to so-called high-volume air samples collected on glass fibre filters. The method involves the acid digestion of a part of the filter followed by analysis using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The use of both conventional flame atomic absorption and atomic absorption with a graphite furnace atomizer was investigated. It was found that the cadmium determinations were free of matrix error and that small interferences by other elements could be accurately taken into account. For a typical air sample of 2000 m3, the cadmium amount can be determined with accuracy down to about 2 ng/m3. Determinations below this level are possible at the expense, however, of the speed and simplicity of the method. The possibility of a non-uniform distribution of cadmium on the exposed filter, and the chance of accidental contamination of the filter or prepared sample by traces of cadmium are also discussed.

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