UK concentrations of chromium and chromium (VI), measured as water soluble chromium, in PM10

As a toxic metal found in respirable ambient particulate matter (PM10) chromium is being increasing recognised as an important environmental pollutant and its emissions from industrial facilities are controlled by legislation. Total chromium concentrations in ambient air are monitored by air quality monitoring stations across the UK and this work summarises for the first time the data recorded at these locations over the last 30 years. In addition, a novel assessment of chromium (VI) concentrations – measured as water soluble chromium, with the selectively of this technique being benchmarked against a more robust solid phase extraction procedure – across the UK, is presented. The results for soluble chromium concentrations typically lay within 5–15 % of the total chromium concentrations determined by the UK network, agreeing with ranges found in previous studies. The percentage of chromium (VI) as total chromium shows some correlation with proximity to industrial sources.