The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 16 No 1 (2012): 18 – 23

 

 

 

Heavy METAL concentration OF SETTLED SURFACE DUST IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

 

(Kepekatan Logam Berat Dalam Debu Terenap Permukaan Di Bangunan Kediaman)

 

Nor Aimi Abdul Wahab^1*, Fairus Muhamad Darus¹, Norain Isa¹, Siti Mariam Sumari²,

Nur Fatihah Muhamad Hanafi²

 

¹Faculty of Applied Sciences,

Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pulau Pinang,
13500  Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

²Faculty of Applied Sciences,

Universiti Teknologi MARA,
40450  Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: noraimi108@ppinang.uitm.edu.my

 

 

Abstract

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in settled surface dust were collected from nine residential buildings in different areas in Seberang Prai Tengah District, Pulau Pinang. The samples of settled surface dust were collected in 1 m² area by using a polyethylene brush and placed in the dust pan by sweeping the living room floor most accessible to the occupants. Heavy metals concentrations were determined by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) after digestion with nitric acid and sulphuric acid.  The results show that the range of heavy metals observed in residential buildings at Seberang Prai Tengah were in the range of 2.20-14.00 mg/kg, 1.50-32.70 mg/kg, 1.50-76.80 mg/kg and 14.60-54.40 mg/kg for Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn respectively. The heavy metal concentration in the investigated areas followed the order:  Pb > Zn > Ni > Cu. Statistical analysis indicates significant correlation between all the possible pairs of heavy metal. The results suggest a likely common source for the heavy metal contamination, which could   be traced most probably to vehicular emissions, street dust and other related activities.

 

Keywords: Settled surface dust, heavy metal, residential building

 

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