Extractable trace metals content of dust from vehicle air filters as determined by sequential extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

A modified four-step sequential extraction procedure developed within the Standards, Measurement, and Testing Program (formally the Community Bureau of Reference) of the European Commission was applied to determine the distribution of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Mn in air filter dust samples collected from vehicles. The four fractions were acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual. These fractions have the advantage of providing better insight into the mechanism of association of metals in the dust. The determination of trace metals in dust samples was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results obtained after applying the sequential extraction scheme indicated that Cu was the most abundant metal in the organic and residual fractions of the dust matrix. Fe was found mainly in the residual fraction, and the major amounts of Mn and Cd were present in the acid-soluble and bound-to-carbonate fraction. The mean values of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Mn were found to be 15.58, 33.54, 1625, and 180 microg/g, respectively. The results obtained are in agreement with data reported in the literature.