Elemental analysis of ashes of office papers by EDXRF spectrometry

The concentrations of the elements Pb, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Co were determined in the ash-samples of writing, copying and computer printing papers by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). Non-coloured white papers of various manufactures and grammages were considered. Ashes of copying papers printed with black toner and black ink by laser and ink-jet printers were also analyzed. Most of the elements measured in papers showed the lowest concentrations in the ashes of Navigator and Copier papers (Sorpocel S.A., Portugal). Fabriano paper contains significantly higher amount of lead, strontium and zirconium compared to the papers of other manufactures. The concentrations of the elements Co, Mn, Fe, Cr and Ti in the Navigator paper printed by laser printers are significantly higher compared to the non-printed papers. In Fabriano papers the concentrations of the elements Cr, V and Cu as well as organic content increases with paper grammage from 80 to 160 g/m2, while opposite was found for the amount of Pb, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Ni and Zn.