Determination of lead on the airborne particulates of urban Valencia city

A method for the determination of lead in airborne particulates by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after extraction with HCl-HNO3 (120–150°C) is described. Particulate lead levels in the atmosphere have been measured in samples collected throughout a year, sampling has been made at eleven sites within the city of Valencia. The results obtained in this study show that annual means of lead levels are within the range of 0.526 to 7.033 μg/m3 depending upon the sampling site. Lead levels are higher in winter and autumn. Lead and nitrogen oxide levels are well correlated.