Comparison of voltammetry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for the determination of heavy metals in PM10 airborne particulate matter

The potential of the voltammetry method was examined for the determination of heavy metals in ambient air particulate matter (PM10) on quartz filter. Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, As were determined by anodic stripping voltammetry while adsorptive stripping voltammetry was used for the analysis of Ni. The method detection limit of these metals were 9.3, 0.1, 0.8, 0.3, 0.4, 0.1 ng m−3 for Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni and As, respectively. In addition, the analysis of a Certified Reference Material NIST 1648, yielded recoveries between 92% and 103%. Consequently, both the detection limit and recovery of the voltammetric method satisfy the requirements of the European Standard for the analyses of heavy metals in PM10 (EN 14902). A comparison of the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and voltammetry method on the NIST 1648 and PM10 filters showed the differences between them remained well within the level of uncertainty on the NIST 1648 requested by European Directives for heavy metals (25% for Pb and 40% for As, Cd and Ni, respectively). In addition to its compliance with legislations, the voltammetry method benefits from low investment cost and the potential of complete automation. As such, one may expect voltammetry to provide a reliable alternative to the European laboratories in charge of ambient air monitoring at the time when the European Directives require to measure heavy metals in PM10 on a regularly basis.