An approach for assessing the inhalation bioaccessibility of Pb in the PM10 size fraction is presented, using an in vitro simulated epithelial lung fluid to represent the extracellular environment of the lung. The developed inhalation bioaccessibility method (IBM) is applied to a range of urban surface soils and mining wastes obtained from Mitrovica, Kosovo, a site where impacts upon human health following exposure to Pb have been internationally publicised. All Pb determinations were undertaken by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The pseudo-total concentration of Pb (microwave acid digestion using aqua-regia) varied between matrices: smelter (20,900-72,800mgkg(-1)), topsoil (274-13,700mgkg(-1)), and tailings (2990mgkg(-1)-25,300mgkg(-1)). The in vitro inhalation bioaccessibility was typically several orders of magnitude lower: smelter (7.0-965mgkg(-1)), topsoil (9.8-1060mgkg(-1)), and tailings (0.7mgkg(-1)-49.2mgkg(-1)). The % inhalation bioaccessibility ranged from 0.02 to 11.0%, with the higher inhalation bioaccessible Pb concentrations being observed for samples from the Bosniak Mahalla area of Mitrovica (an area proposed for the relocation of internally displaced peoples). The estimated inhalation dose (for adults) calculated from the PM10 pseudo-total Pb concentration ranged from 0.369 to 1.284μgkg(-1)BWday(-1) (smelter), 0.005-0.242μgkg(-1)BWday(-1) (topsoil), and 0.053-0.446μgkg(-1)BWday(-1) (tailings). When daily inhalation doses were calculated using the bioaccessible Pb concentration the modelled exposure doses were much lower: smelter (0.0001-0.0170μgkg(-1)BWday(-1)), topsoil (0.0002-0.0187μgkg(-1)BWday(-1)) and tailings (0.0001-0.0009μgkg(-1)BWday(-1)). Modelled for the neutral pH conditions of the interstitial lung environment, the results indicate a low potential inhalation bioaccessibility for Pb in these samples. Given the already elevated environmental Pb burden experienced by the local population, where significant prolonged dust or particulate generating activities are taking place, or where the inhaled particles are phagocytized, then inhalation exposure has the potential to significantly add to the overall Pb burden. Such data are important for local policy makers to better enable them to assess risk, especially in areas where soils/dusts have elevated levels of contamination.

Due to the desire of nations to enhance their economic status, industrialization is vigorously pursued. Industrialization is historically associated with environmental degradation. In developing countries, due to lack of environmental awareness, the level of industrialization is not commensurate with environmental studies and monitoring. This study was designed to assess the status of particulate matter at three emerging industrial sites in Port Harcourt. To achieve this, Aerocet 531 monitor was used. To be able to communicate properly with the general public, data obtained were expressed in terms of Air Quality Index (AQI). The results showed that industrial sites had higher concentrations compared to the control for both PM 2.5 and PM 10 . Seasonal variation of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were observed with the dry season indicating concentrations higher than the local acceptable limits of 150 µg/m 3 and 230 µg/m 3 . The AQI of the three emerging industrial sites indicated a category for 'good' to 'moderate' for wet season while for dry season, they varied from 'very unhealthy' to 'hazardous' in all the sampling areas. This poses a great threat to health and environment of the inhabitants.

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A new simple, robust and low-cost wet laboratory method for the generation of the <10 μm (PM10) particle size fraction is reported. A sedimentation method is directly compared with a centrifugation method for generation of the PM10 fraction. Both approaches are based on an integrated form of Stokes' law. Subsequently the sedimentation method was adopted. The results from the sedimentation method were corroborated using particle size distribution measurements. This approach for the generation of the PM10 fraction was applied to soil and mine waste samples from Mitrovica, Kosovo as part of an investigation in to the human risk assessment from inhalation of the PM10 fraction containing potentially harmful elements (PHEs). The average daily dose for Cd from the inhalation of suspended soil particles was calculated to be 0.021 and 0.010 μg kg(-1) BW d(-1) for a child and an adult, respectively. This corresponded to an inhalation dose of 0.50 and 0.70 μg Cdd(-1) for a child (20 kg) and an adult (70 kg), respectively.