Trace Metal Pollution in the Environment

Trace metals introduced to the environment from fuel combustion, incineration, and industrial emission sources are causing increasing concern to air pollution researchers. Several metals in urban air, including lead and vanadium, are associated with particles in the predominantly submicrometer diameter range thereby presenting an inhalation threat. There is also growing evidence that some metals emitted from stationary sources are concentrated in submicrometer sized particles which may pass through emission control devices. This report summarizes the concentration and size of trace metals in urban air, the concentration ranges found in selected fuels and emission sources, and describes the areas where further studies are needed.