Indoor air quality of schools in Alexandria city

Poor air quality in schools can affect children's desire and ability to concentrate and learn and may lead to increased rate of absenteeism. This study was carried out with the aim of characterizing and measuring indoor air quality in school buildings, measuring ventilation status and studying the impact of design and environmental parameters on some measured pollutant levels. The study was carried out in some primary schools of Alexandria City. All ventilation rate levels exceeded the ASHRAE standard of 15 cfm/pupil except for a few cases. Badly located and small window area led to air stagnation and low ventilation rates. Levels of TSP greatly exceeded a suggested daily guideline of 150 mug/m3. The highest average levels of TSP were found inside classrooms surrounded by unpaved playground and located near semi rural, commercial and heavy traffic areas, while lowest levels were in classrooms located next to residential areas. The average total bacteria were highest in winter. There was also a slight increase in respiratory symptoms and signs in winter. There was a significant positive correlation between average total, pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria with average TSP Levels, indoor CO2 levels and relative humidity; while a significant negative correlation was observed with ventilation rate and class volume occupied. The average attack rate of respiratory conditions was 1.96 episode per child. Running nose was the highest frequent symptom. Students of first grade had an incidence rate higher than that among fifth grade students

Environmental factors and health probems among workers of the national project in Toshka

The National Project in Toshka is a recognized agricultural one, as well as a comprehensive developmental project. The present study was carried out to investigate environmental factors and health problems among workers in this National Project. Environmental levels of vibration, noise, heat stress, total suspended particulates and respirable dust were measured in the different activities of the project during May 2000. The health records of Behera Company Incorporation, the project main implementing contractor, in the period 1997-1999 were analyzed. Workers were classified according to the nature of occupational exposure into three groups namely; earth workers, concrete workers, and services and administration workers. Records of occupational accidents of the same group of workers and in the same period were analyzed as well. Results showed that all the measured environmental factors were within the permissible levels of exposure in the different project activities. Workers showed a significant lower rate of total health problems in the last studied year [1999] as compared to the previous two years [1997-1998] [p=0.001]. Prevalence rates of musculoskeletal disorders, urinary tract troubles, ear-nose-throat [ENT] problems and chest problems were significantly higher in earth and concrete workers than in services and administration workers [p=0.001, 0.011, 0.036 and 0.044, respectively]. Both occupational accident frequency and severity rates were very low in comparison to other major construction projects such as the High Dam. These rates showed decreasing trends throughout the studied years; however, relatively higher rates were observed among earth workers than the other groups. Miscellaneous wounds were the commonest presentation of occupational injuries among the three occupational groups. In conclusion, the current use of modern technology accounted for the low levels of environmental exposure factors, as well as the high safety standards. Workers showed a significant degree of acclimatization to work in this region; therefore, inhabitants and workers should be encouraged to engage this new community. The low rates of health problems among workers observed in this study reflected a satisfactory level of medical services. Preplacement and periodic medical examinations of construction workers aught to consider musculoskeletal, urinary tract, ENT and chest conditions among them

Cardiovascular and haematological changes among workers chronically exposed to heat

This study was conducted in a copper and aluminium company in Alexandria. Levels of exposure were ranked according to compliance with threshold limit value [TLV] of the ACGIH into high, i.e. above TLV, moderate i.e. within TLV, and low heat stress. Heat stress measurements exceeded the TLV in 50% of the measured areas. Heat strain indices in terms of recovery oral temperature, and recovery pulse rate as well as systolic blood pressure were significantly higher among the high versus the low exposure groups, but within average physiologic limits. Increased T wave amplitude was observed in ECGs of high exposure group. Hematological examination revealed non-specific findings in terms of mild degree of anemia, decreased clotting time, and increased bleeding time among the high exposure group

Performance of a modified method for the simultaneous determination of vinyl chloride monomer and ethylene dichloride in the atmosphere of a petrochemical plant in Alexandria

Ethylene dichloride [EDC] and vinyl chloride monomer [VCM] are considered the major air pollutants associated with any petrochemical industry. The two pollutants are categorized as carcinogenic substances for man and animal. Large number of samples were collected from the air of a Petrochemical Plant in Alexandria during a period of 12 months to study the efficiency, accuracy and applicability of a modified method for the simultaneous determination of VCM and EDC in the air. For this purpose, different sampling stations were selected inside the plant and at its walls. Samples of VCM and EDC were collected simultaneously by adsorption on the surface of activated charcoal and then analyzed by a chemical desorption process using carbon disulfide [CS2]. Levels of VCM and EDC were determined by an infrared spectrophotometer