Assessment of Heavy Metal Levels in Street Dust Samples from Denizli, Turkey, and Analysis by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

In this study, toxic heavy metal contamination in dust samples obtained from different streets in Denizli, Turkey, was monitored. The areas selected include heavy, moderate, and normal traffic flow, building construction sites and other industrial activities near roads, car parks, school gardens, health centers, and hospitals. The metals were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentration ranges were Cu at 20.4-147.4 mu g g(-1), Cr at 9.9-75.0 mu g g(-1), Ni at 22.8-86.2 mu g g(-1), Pb at 14.4-145.3 mu g g(-1), and Mn at 52.3-158.3 mu g g(-1). The Cd content for all dust samples was below 0.1 mu g g(-1). According to the geoaccumulation index (I-geo) classification, Cr and Mn were present at the lower level (0<I-geo <= 1) and Pb, Cu, and Ni at moderate level (1<I-geo <= 2). This is the fist time that the concentrations and the effect of heavy metals on the environment, in particular, in street dust of Denizli, Turkey, have been investigated