ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION AND SOURCE INVESTIGATION OF PARTICULATES SUSPENDED IN THE AIR OF AN IRON FOUNDRY

In the workshop of an iron foundry suspended particulate matter was collected daily with stationary filtration systems, Andersen cascade impactors and personal samplers. Some samples were also taken of the major emission sources in the foundry. All samples were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Data were obtained for 21 elements in all samples, while 15 additional elements could only be detected in the large majority of the samples. For visualization and interpretation of the data, computer programs for contour plotting, classification and clustering of the elements and the samples were applied. The size distribution, the air concentration profile delineation and the element clusters indicated the presence of three main groups of elements. The results allow estimates of the impact of the major emission sources on the entire workroom, and of some localized sources in their immediate vicinity. Suggestions for representative sampling locations and indicator elements are obtained from the results.