Platinum in indoor settled dust matter (homes and cars)

Abstract

This paper presents a method for Pt analysis in indoor (homes and cars) settled dust, used as passive samplers, and the results relative to samples collected in the Sicilian area are used to evaluate the magnitude and distribution of concentrations inside common environments and the possible origins of the considered contaminant. The concentrations of platinum in settled indoor dust were measured by differential pulsed voltammetry (DPV).Concentrations of Pt in homes are in the range from 30 to 1460μgkg-1 d.w. while, in the vehicles from 30 to 1750μgkg-1 d.w. Considering the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), 42% of the settled dust sampled in homes could be classified as extremely contaminated. Only in two cases, the Igeo indicates extremely contaminated and the analyzed settled dust sampled in the cars, about 11% corresponds to practically unpolluted.Considering the Pt concentrations found by us in apartments and cars, it is possible to estimate a daily total uptake of 10 and 4. ng respectively. Compared to the dietary PGE intake, which is estimated about μg per day level, or uptake by drinking water, the amount uptake by the indoor dust (homes and cars) may be considered negligible.