Assessment of air quality of two metropolitan cities in Pakistan: elemental analysis using INAA and AAS

For the assessment of air quality of two cities in Pakistan. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) have been used. In all 26 elements were determined in suspended particulate matter (SPM) and soil samples. The SPM levels from different locations of Rawalpindi and Lahore indicate unhealthy to hazardous air quality much above the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Metrological conditions and nature of soil that contains clay components mainly contribute to the inventory of the SPM clements of these cities. The calculated enrichment factors (EF) also indicate the dominance of the soil components. Contributions of inorganic elements due to heavy traffic with automotive exhaust and other commercial activities in this area have been identified. Areas of Qurtaba Chowk and Bank Square in Lahore in particular showed high EF for lead depicting burning of the automotive fuel and road dust. The accuracy and precision of the work has been maintained through the concurrent use of IAEA Reference Materials. (orig.)