Toxic metals in street and household dusts

Street and household dusts have been sampled within the Lancaster area (U.K.), and analysed for Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn. The concentration of each metal has been determined both as total and extractable metal, the latter referring to metal soluble in a 0.07N hydrochloric acid solution. The results are discussed in relation to the sources of the metals, and possible health hazards to children exposed to the dusts.