Biological Trace Element Research

, Volume 71, Issue 1, pp 169–179 | Cite as

Health-related monitoring and assessment of airborne particulate matter

An overview of recent IAEA programs
  • Robert M. Parr
  • Borut Smodiš
Section 3: Atmospheric Monitoring and Assessment of Trace Elements

Abstract

Since 1992, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been promoting studies of air pollution using a standard design of air sampler that provides separation on filters into two size fractions with cutoffs of 2.5 and 10 Μm (approximately). These are the size ranges presently considered to have the most important health consequences. Such filter samples are highly amenable to analysis using nuclear and related techniques. After reviewing some of the health effects of airborne particulate matter and current air quality standards and guidelines, this article provides an overview of current and recent IAEA programs in this area, which involve collaborative activities with participants in more than 40 countries.

Index Entries

Airborne particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 ambient air quality standards Gent air sampler nuclear analytical techniques neutron activation analysis (NAA) particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) analytical quality control 
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Copyright information

© Humana Press Inc. 1999

Authors and Affiliations

  • Robert M. Parr
    • 1
  • Borut Smodiš
    • 1
  1. 1.International Atomic Energy AgencyViennaAustria

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