Trying something new
Trying something different meant working with the IAEA to include nuclear analytical techniques in the air quality monitoring project. Neutron activation analysis, X-ray fluorescence and ion beam analysis can produce large sets of unique data about the elemental compositions of airborne particulate matter — key information in determining possible sources of air pollution (see Particle-induced X-ray emission).
"Lead pollution from human sources is mainly fine particulate matter — less than 2.5 micrometres — and detecting these sources can be difficult," Santoso said. Using proton induced X-ray emission analysis and knowledge obtained from the IAEA, the BATAN research team managed to trace the cause and source of the lead pollution in various areas, including in Serpong, near Jakarta. "We were able to associate a high percentage of the pollution to a lead battery recycling centre and production facility," she said.
Results from the project have been used to help law enforcement crackdown on legal and illegal polluters and educate the public about the dangers of lead pollution, Santoso said.
Collaborating with local cities, provincial environment protection agencies and Indonesia's Ministry of Environment, BATAN expanded the extent of the monitoring beyond Java. "We made a big step in expanding sampling locations from one site in Bandung, to 16 cities covering our biggest islands," she said.