Abstract

Heavy metal content of airborne particles in indoor air: Combustion of biomass in rural sites

Author(s): Omer Isildak

Monitoring and chemical analysis of airborne particles in the smoke of dried cow dung (biomass) is very important for the health of human. The cow dung biomass is used as energy source in several rural areas of Turkey and other countries in world. In this regards, this study is focused on the quantitative and qualitative chemical analysis of indoor airborne particles distributed by combustion of this biomass were made. Mass concentration and heavy metal content of airborne particles in filter samples were determined by using Scanning Electron Microscope and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer analysis methods. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cu,Mn, Sn, Zn,Al, Bi, Ni, Cd, Hg, Fe, Cr, Co,Ag,As are ranged from 0.95±0.25 to 1.85±0.66, from 1.44±0.39 to 3.04±0.54, from 0.32±0.005 to 0.85±0.006, from 0.03±0.002 to 0.28±0.006, from 23.25±7.54 to 44.06±9.12, from11.20±2.22 to 20.04±2.05, from 0.05±0.001 to 0.18±0.02, from 2.69±0.86 to 6.44±2.99, from 0.03±0.002 to 0.06±0.009, from 19.16±2.86 to 56.26±14.36, from0.06±0.004 to 0.15±0.02, from 0.11±0.03 to 1.17±0.05, from 0.10±0.05 to 0.27±0.07, from 0.80±0.06 to 3.58±0.60, and from 1,48±0.093 to 5.23±0.91 µg/ m3 respectively. These results showed that the heavy metal concentrations of the indoor airborne particleswere higher than the limited values guidelines byWorld Health Organization.