Dust fall over the urban and industrial sectors of Cairo and their chemical constituents, a comparative study

In the present investigation, dust fall rates over Cairo urban area and the industrial district of Helwan were examined. Chemical constituents of the collected samples were determined and related to their sources and other factors affecting their existence in the atmosphere of the urban and industrial districts. Results of this work clearly indicate that both urban and industrial districts of Cairo received rates of dust fall exceed the air quality standards set to protect man and his properties from air pollution. However, the rates of dust fall over the industrial area of Helwan icrribly exceed those found over the industrial urban districts. Furthermore, the highest concentrations of tarry matters, which are products of incomplete combustion processes, were found in dustfall samples collected from the atmosphere of Cairo city centre. A good correlation was found between NH[4+] and sulphates concentrations in dust fall over the urban districts, possibly due to the atmospheric reactions leading to the formation of ammonium sulphate in Cairo, urban atmosphere. On the other hand, sulphate concentrations were correlated with calcium concentration, in the atmosphere of Helwan industrial district. This is due to the emissions from cement industries where kilns dust contains high concentration of calcium sulphate. Results also indicate that the sources of chlorides in Cairo urban atmosphere are mainly combustion processes and natural causes. However, in the industrial district cement and other industries are significant sources of chlorides found in the atmosphere of Helwan industrial district. Moreover, these industries are major sources of calcium and free silica emitted to the atmosphere of Helwan. Several other conclusions and recommendations arc included

Suspended particulates and sulphur compounds in Cairo urban atmosphere

This work presents the outcome of a research project conducted to investigate suspended particulates and sulphur compounds in Cairo atmosphere. It has been found that Cairo urban air is heavily polluted with suspended particulates reaching more than the 24 h air quality standard during 100% of measured days with annual mean concentration of approximately 9 times USA air quality standard recorded in Cairo central district. This TSP concentration was found to be associated with sulphur dioxide concentrations of about double the WHO annual recommended limit of 53 micro g/m[3]. Moreover the rate of total sulphation reached a maximum value of 39.8 mg/100 cm[2] 30 d during Sept 1989. A good correlation of more than 0.85 was found between total sulphation and sulphur dioxide in Cairo atmosphere with a straight line relationship of : SO2 [micro g/m[3]] = 2.96 [T. sulphation] + 0.39. Furthermore, a good correlation of more than 0.6 was found between the concentrations of paniculate sulphates and ammonium. This confirms that atmospheric reactions are a principal source of paniculate sulphates in Cairo atmosphere. Several other conclusions and recommendations are included

Air pollution in the industrial area South of greater Cairo, Egypt

This work presents the outcome of a research study conducted in the biggest Egyptian -industrial area, southern of Cairo. The industrial activities include mineral industries, metallurgical work and chemical industries. Results show high concentrations of particulates. Photochemical oxidants are locally produced due to atmospheric reactions between emitted pollutants. Atmospheric contaminants were found to exceed air quality standards set to meet environmental requirements. Geographic distribution of pollutant concentrations and chemical constituents of particulate were found to be influenced by both manmade and natural causes. Air quality can be managed by using emission control devices and giving attention to land use. The establishment of buffer zones, and the proper selection of industrial and residential locations are necessary

Solubility and rates of heavy metals dry deposition over the complex industrial district, southern of Cairo

This work presents the outcome of a research project to evaluate the rates of heavy metals deposition over the heaviest industrial area in Egypt. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, nickel and zinc were analysed in both soluble and insoluble fractions of dustfall. The results show high rates of heavy metals deposition over the area. The highest rates of heavy metals deposition were found at locations close to iron and steel company and lead and zinc smelter. One of the intersting findings of this work is that the ratio between water soluble and insoluble metals were significantly different from one location to the other and also between the different investigated metals. Several other conclusions are included

Correlation between environmental and biological levels of lead in printing industry

In the present study the concentration, of lead particles and fumes in the working environment of a printing industry were throughly investigated. The blood lead, urinary lead and ALA of 106 exposed workers and 20 non-exposed workers, as a control group, were measured. Results showed that workers in the departments where lead materials are handled are mainly exposed to lead fumes which represent >80%of total lead exposure moreover, it was found that exposed to >20 micro/g/m[3] [8 hrs] atmospheric lead in both forms of respirable particles and vapour can result in high blood level. ALA was found to be a reliable indicator of lead effect. The present investigation points out that the TLV of 0.20 mg/m[3] is a non-realistic level since the exposure to atmospheric lead in a range between 20-37 micro g/m3 results in a high blood lead and subsquently a higher level of ALA in urine. Consequently, it is suggested to lower the TLV for lead exposure especially where lead fumes exist. Conclusions and special recommendations were given