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A study on the general levels of heavy metals in magazines and a comparative study of microwave and ultrasound acid digestions
Author
Yeo, Joyce Suat Peng
Supervisor
Teo, Khay Chuan
Abstract
This study has been undertaken to determine the general levels of some toxic metals in magazines. The objective of this work was to initiate and stimulate the study of heavy metals due to coloured pigments as well as that of magazines as a whole. The concentration of three toxic metals were determined by atomic absorption method using standard solutions for calibrations. Microwave digestion was employed to release the trace metals into the acid. The results show that three colours in local magazines contain high level of Pb ranging from 1.6 μg/g to 59.0 μg/g. Cr appeared somewhat lower which recorded between 0.4 and 16.1 μg/g. The range of Cd falls between 0 and 7.4 μg/g. The mean total Pb, Cr and Cd concentrations of the various magazines are as high as 12.85, 8.89 and 0.91 mg per copy respectively. These multiplied by their annual sales volume thus indicate that magazine disposal is a source of environmental pollution.
A preliminary study is also undertaken to compare microwave and ultrasound digestion using magazine and paint flakes. Statistical evaluation by regression treatment was applied and high correlation coefficients at 95% confidence level which indicate the good accuracy and precision of the alternative method compared to the standard microwave digestion.
A preliminary study is also undertaken to compare microwave and ultrasound digestion using magazine and paint flakes. Statistical evaluation by regression treatment was applied and high correlation coefficients at 95% confidence level which indicate the good accuracy and precision of the alternative method compared to the standard microwave digestion.
Date Issued
1996
Call Number
TD196.H43 Yeo
Date Submitted
1996