Indoor/outdoor concentration of potentially toxic elements in urban areas in greater Cairo, Egypt

Potentaillay toxic elements [PTE] like lead, chromium and nickel in suspended paniculate matter [SPM] were evaluated indoor and outdoor at four sites. Two of the sites were offices and the others were homes. The aim of this work was to study the seasonal and annual indoor and outdoor PTE concentrations. The relationship between indoor and outdoor values was studied as well. The results showed seasonal variations. The maximum indoor and outdoor SPM, Pb, Cr and Ni concentrations were recorded during winter season. It was interesting to observe that the annual mean concentration of SPM in both indoor and outdoor [242 and 290 micro g/m[3] respectively] were more than 3.2 times [indoor] and 3.9 times [outdoor] the EPA yearly air quality standard for SPM [75 micro g/m[3]]. In the same way, mean values were more than 2.6 times [indoor] and 3.2 times [outdoor] the Egyptian ambient air quality standardal of 90 micro g/m[3]as annual mean. Also the results showed that the outdoor atmosphere was highly contaminated not only with lead [2.6-0.9 micro g/m[3]] but also with Cr [0.9-0.18 micro g/m[3]] and Ni [2.2-0.37 micro g/m[3]]. Abnormally high metal levels were measured indoor also. In addition, the study showed that the soluble matter of SPM [ammonium, sulphate and chloride] highly exceeded the concentrations found in the atmosphere of other countries. Regarding to indoor/ outdoor [I/O] ratios, the median values of the measured pollutants were observed to be smaller than I. It could be concluded that the above mentioned contaminant concentrations create an appreciable threat lo human health

Evaluation of air pollution in Egyptian rural areas

The major objective of this study is to point out the air pollution sources in rural areas and to evaluate the role of the emissions on the air quality in the investigated village [El-Danabik] in Northeast Egypt. The main sources of the air pollution in rural areas are brick kiln, using of biomass fuel and livestock excreta. SO[2], NO[2], CO. CO[2] and smoke were measured in the atmosphere surrounding a brick kiln. The data obtained revealed that the atmosphere of the investigated area is highly polluted with these gases. The mean concentration of SO[2] was 23.804 mg/m[3] and NO[2] concentration ranged between 39.01 to 1.41 mg/m[3]. Smoke was also found in a significantly high concentration. The concentrations ranged between 17.70 mg/m[3] and 70.71 mg/m[3]. The wood and agriculture residue combustion [the main fuels used in rural homes] produce many toxic gases besides fine particulate matter [smoke]. High concentration of CO[2] was recorded in the indoor atmosphere, the average concentration was 33673.5 mg/m[3]. Carbon monoxide [CO], is also produced as a product of incomplete combustion of the organic fuels. The CO concentration ranged between 1544.6 mg/m[3] and 2304.5 mg/m[3] in the indoor air in rural houses. The average concentration of SO[2] was 0.98 mg /m[3] while it was 13.79 mg/m[3] for NO[2]. A livestock excreta is a major source of atmospheric ammonia in rural areas. High concentration of ammonia gas was found in the atmosphere near the cattle and chicken farms. The average concentrations were 1.07 +/- 0.93 mg/m[3], 2.5 9 +/- 2.99 mg/m[3] in the atmosphere near the cattle and chicken farms, respectively. It must be stated that adverse effects are possible on the basis of the concentration of air pollutants in indoor and outdoor air in the rural areas

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