The aim of this work was to look for an ideal extractant for toxic metals in dust. Twelve extractants were tested in close and open systems. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine the concentrations of cadmium, chromium copper, cobalt lead nickel and zinc. Excess of all these are toxic to living organisms and are regarded as pollutants. Nitric acid 2M was found to be the best extractant. 


D A TANISLEY ,M H Z CHOUDHARY ,