____________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: Email: nkgabi@polytechnic.edu.na; British Journal of Environment & Climate Change 2(1): 58-72, 2012 SCIENCEDOMAIN international www.sciencedomain.org Composition of Inhalable Atmospheric Particulates in Rustenburg, South Africa Nnenesi A. Kgabi 1* 1 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Polytechnic of Namibia, Private Bag 13388, Windhoek, 9000, Namibia. Received 14 th September 2011 Accepted 23 rd March 2012 Online Ready 2 nd May 2012 ABSTRACT In this study, inhalable particulate matter was sampled using the TEOM series 1400a, the elemental composition of the particulate matter was determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM/EDS) and the concentration of particulate nitrates and sulphates was analyzed using Ion Chromatography (IC). These parameters were evaluated to obtain an estimate of the composition of inhalable particulate matter (PM 10 ) in Rustenburg, South Africa. The toxicity was also determined in terms of ratios of toxic metals to PM 10 , as well as to elemental carbon, nitrates and sulphates. The components of PM 10 were obtained as follows: organic, halides, sulphates, crustal metals, toxic metals, nitrates, and carbon. The main toxic metals were obtained in order of decreasing abundance as Cr>Pb>Ni>V. Seasonal variations showed high levels of PM 10 and sulphates in spring and high nitrate levels in summer. The SEM/EDS showed the presence of atmospheric particles of complex composition including S, Si, Al, Mg, Ca, Pb, Fe, Cr, Ni, V, and Pb. Keywords: Inhalable particulate matter; toxic metals; particulate sulphates; particulate nitrates. 1. INTRODUCTION The primary goal of air pollution research is to identify and quantify sources and effects in order to understand and prevent adverse environmental and health outcomes. Airborne particulate matter is a mixture of thousands of different substances, diverse in characteristics