PIXE IN THE EXPLORATION OF POLLUTION: SCOPE AND EXAMPLES

The need to establish the elemental concentration profile for a clean environment and for a healthy organism is emphasized. Through several examples it is shown how PIXE has gained importance in elemental analysis in the fields of Medicine, Biology and Environment. Studies have been done on cancerous tumors and other diseased tissues. Elemental concentrations of blood, hair, teeth and nails have been correlated to specific diseases and to environmental pollution. Also plants, algae, lichens and tree rings have been analyzed as bio-sensors. The PIXE routines in four laboratories in Latinamerica are described. Their main environmental applications are in atmospheric aerosols, tree rings, waste water and others.