The concentration of lead was determined in 583 sampleso f airborne particulate matter from the city of Valencia
(Spain) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Atmospheric particulates were collected with membrane
filters (0.8 pm) using low volume samplers (approx. 2 m3/day) at nine different sites over a period of one year. A
relation between the traffic flow and the level of lead pollution was observed. The highest values of lead appeared
during the autumn and the lowest in summer. The mean lead concentration in the atmosphere in Valencia was
higher than the European Community (EC) limit (2 fig/m31 from November 1989 to March 1990. The annual
average lead level in the city of Valencia was 2 kg/m3, equal to the EC limit.