Proton activation analysis has been applied to determine lead concentrations in airborne particulate matter collected on filter papers. /sup 204/Bi radioactivity, produced by 40-50 MeV proton activation via /sup 206/Pb(p,3n), /sup 207/Pb(p,4n), /sup 208 /Pb(p,5n) reactions, is used to identify and measure trace amounts of lead. The 374-KeV gamma ray is usually used to identify lead; however, gamma rays above the annihilation radiation, as the 899 KeV, are sometimes more suitable. Counting times range from 5 to 50 min per sample. Under reasonable irradiation and counting conditions, and without chemical separations, sensitivities of less than 1 ng/cm/sup 2 / are currently obtained.
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Desaedeleer et al. (1976) studied this question.