10.2190/XQL8-A8TP-9EFT-AVLV XQL8A8TP9EFTAVLV 5 Contribution of Heavy Metals to the Air (Biosphere) Pollution in the Working Environment of Goldsmiths in Nigeria 303 308 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 XQL8A8TP9EFTAVLV.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=XQL8A8TP9EFTAVLV 3 C. A. Adesanmi S. A. Owolabi F. A. Balogun F. I. Ibitoye A. A. Oladipo I. A. Tubosun Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) using isotopic sources was employed to determine the concentrations of selected heavy metals (Ti, Zn, Pb) in aerosols produced in the working environment of goldsmiths in Nigeria. Sampling was done using micropore filters and analysis carried out using a microcomputer-based S100 multi-channel analyzer and a beryllium windowed Si(Li) detector. Concentrations obtained ranged between 11.9 ± 1.0 μgm^-3 and 42.7 ± 0.3 μgm^-3 for Ti, 47.5 ± 1.3 ngm^-3 and 140.5 ± 1.7 ngm^-3 for Zn, and 0.5 ± 0.1 ngm^-3 and 5.1 ± 0.4 ngm^-3 for Pb. the detection limits determined for the system are 0.3 μgm^-3 for Ti, 1.3 ngm^-3 for Zn, and 0.1 ngm^-3 for Pb. R. Jenkins and J. L. De Vries, <i>Practical X-Ray Spectroscopy</i> (2nd Edition), McMillan Press, London, 1967. P. James, <i>The Future of Coal</i> (2nd Edition), McMillan Press, London, 1984. R. C. Weast, <i>Handbook of Chemistry and Physics</i> (3rd Edition), the Chemical Rubber Co., Cleveland, Ohio, 1973. A. B. Borishade, A. H. M. A. Hanan, L. O. Kehinde, A. F. Oluwole, and O. Oshin, Elemental Composition of Nigerian Coals, <i>Energy, 10</i>:1, pp. 35-39, 1985. J. N. Pitts and R. L. Metcalf, <i>Advances in Environmental Science and Technology</i>, Vol. 3, John Wiley, New York, 1974. W. R. Parkers, <i>Occupational Lung Disorders</i>, Butterworth Press, London, pp. 166-269, 1974. D. Pavia, M. Thompson, and H. S. Shannon, Aerosol Inhalation and Depth of Deposition in the Human Lungs, <i>Archives of Environmental Health, 32</i>, pp. 131-136, 1977. I. B. Obioh, <i>Pollution Monitoring in Some Nigerian Coal Mines</i>, M. Sc. thesis, Physics Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 1988.