Assessment of lead distribution patterns in urban and rural environments

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10934527609385762· OSTI ID:7332458

Kinard, J T; Tisdale, J; Alexander, E

The distribution of lead over four square city blocks in a metropolitan area has been determined by analysis of soil, atmospheric particulates, rainwater and vegetation samples taken from four concentric regions. The results revealed that there is a decline in the lead level with increasing distance from the periphery and a sudden increase near the center, suggesting that high levels of lead at the streets are due to vehicular emission while the accumulation near the center of the target area is due to a resulting synergistic buildup. Near the curb the results showed a decrease in lead concentration with distance from traffic lights. However, the profile data revealed some dependency on meteorological conditions, vegetation screening, and traffic light cycling times. Possible consequences of the results with regard to beltways surrounding metropolitan areas are discussed. The lead concentration profile near an isolated highway in a rural area was also determined and results indicated a steady decline in the level of lead with distance from the highway until a constant background level was reached. Lead levels in the urban area were from two to three times higher than lead levels in the rural area. A novel, efficient method for the digestion of used filters for subsequent analysis of trace metals in atmospheric particulates is also presented.

• Research Organization: Benedict College, Columbia, SC
• OSTI ID: 7332458
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part A; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part A; (United States) Vol. A11:2; ISSN JESED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
510200 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
BIOMASS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EXHAUST GASES
GASEOUS WASTES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LEAD
METALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLLUTION
RAIN WATER
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
ROADS
RURAL AREAS
SOILS
SOLS
URBAN AREAS
WASTES
WATER