Evaluation of EDXRF for the determination of elements in PM10 filters

Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) was compared to Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) for the measurements of elements in particulate matter (PM10). Lead (Pb), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd)) and the ones included in the EMEP programme, namely copper, chromium and zinc were tested. Other elements such as magnesium, aluminium, silicon, sulphur, chloride, potassium, calcium, titanium, vanadium, iron, cobalt, manganese, bromide, strontium, molybdenum, tin and antimony, which are essential for source apportionment studies, were also tested. PM10 samples collected at different sites on several types of filter were analyzed using both EDXRF and ICP-MS. As the overall result of this study, EDXRF can be considered as an alternative method to ICP-MS for measurements of PM-bound elements, particularly on Teflon filters. The European legislative requirements of Pb could be met for whatever filters type. The European legislative requirements of Ni and As are likely be met, but, it is unknown for Cd. The EMEP requirements can be met for Cu and Zn, but not for Cr. EDXRF can also be used to measure elements for source apportionment purposes.