2023 CiteScore: 1.9
eISSN: 2476-3071
Editor-in-Chief:
Ramin Nabizadeh Nodehi, Ph.D.
Vol 8 No 2 (2023): Spring 2023
Original Research
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Introduction: The present study examines human exposure to Particulate Matter (PM10) and analyses potential health concerns in the industrial zones of Ankleshwar and Vapi in Gujarat.
Materials and methods: For Ankleshwar and Vapi, 120 samples were collected, and characterisation was carried out to determine the concentration of NO3, SO4, NH3, K-S, Na, EC, OC, Al, Si, Fe, K, Ti, Ni, Br, Ca, Cl, Mn,
Pb, Cr, Zn, S, V, and Cu in PM10 mass. The health risk from exposure to different trace elements, including both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic, is evaluated for three distinct paths of ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact.
Results: The Excess Cancer Risk (ECR) values for Cr and Pb for the ingestion pathway and the carcinogenic risks for Cr, Ni, and Pb for the inhalation pathway are both found to be higher than the minimal permissible threshold (1×10−6) for both children and adults for Ankleshwar and Vapi. However, for Ankleshwar and Vapi, the carcinogenic risks from dermal exposure to Cr and Pb are found to be lower than the permissible limit for
both adults and children. It is observed that non-carcinogenic Hazard Index (HI) values for the skin contact and ingestion routes are less than 1 for both children and adults for Ankleshwar and Vapi. While the HI value for the
inhalation pathway is found to be larger than the tolerable limit of 1 for both adults and children.
Conclusion: For the purpose of creating sustainable cities and improving the health of the urban population, this study will provide a fundamental basis and help the governing authorities design mandatory pollution prevention and control methods, restoration plans, and systematic monitoring programmes. -
Introduction: We estimated the health and economic impacts of chronic exposure to air pollution for the Swiss part of the Greater Geneva area from 2016 to 2018.
Materials and methods: We extracted from fine-scale modelled concentration maps for two pollutant indicators, particulate matter PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide. Then, we performed a quantitative health impact assessment of the health burden attributable to anthropogenic-origin air pollution, and estimated the benefits of compliance with the federal Ordinance on Air Pollution Control (OAPC) limit values. Finally, we computed the economic impacts of these health effects.
Results: Exposure to fine particles of anthropogenic origin was responsible for 7.5% of annual mortality (280 deaths or 5,900 life years lost), for 14 lung cancers and for 68 strokes annually in the Canton of Geneva. Compliance with the OAPC limit value of 10 µg/m3 as an annual average would reduce annual mortality by 1.5% (62 deaths avoided or 1,300 life years gained). Exposure to anthropogenic-origin NO2 was associated with 5.3% of annual deaths (approximately 200 deaths per year). The estimated total negative economic impacts of anthropogenic-origin fine particles were at least CHF2017 1.3 billion per year, whereas compliance with the OAPC limit values would result in annual economic benefits of at least CHF2017 290 million.
Conclusion: We confirmed that air quality remains a health issue on which stakeholder mobilisation is vital. Action plans should tackle emissions from freight and personal mobility, heating, industry and agriculture, while seeking to improve knowledge on health risks from air pollution exposure. -
Introduction: This study used economical sensors and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to examine real-time air pollution assessment for an urban industrial area.
Materials and methods: Using a DJI Phantom 3 Pro, the concentrations in the research area were measured. In the study, Carbon monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were measured using metal oxide sensors, and Particulate Matter (PM10) was determined using a dust smoke particle sensor. Pollutants were measured at heights of 0.8 m and 10 m for a period of one month.
Results: With an increase in elevation, a gradual drop in pollutant concentration has been seen. High traffic volumes and fuel combustion are to blame for this increase. The concentration of CO, NO2 and PM10 at 0.8 m has been found to be 22.53%, 42.90% and 45.86% respectively higher when compared at 10 m. The main finding of this study is the use of an UAV integrated with sensors for vertical monitoring of the pollutant concentration.
Conclusion: The CO concentration was found to be less than the standard value but near to it, when the data were compared to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards. While it was discovered that the measured PM10 concentration was higher than the CPCB standard value, the observed NO2 concentration was determined to be lower than the standard value. Also, given that they produce satisfactory results, low-cost gas sensors can be employed to conduct concentration measurement studies. -
Introduction: Grilled street foods are popular in urban communities in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Charcoal is the main fuel used for, posing a risk of elevated exposure to toxic pollutants. This study explored levels of cooking-related pollutants from grilled food business and workers’ health effects.
Materials and methods: A quantitative approach using multiple techniques was conducted during March and April 2022 in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. Methods included pollutant emission estimation from charcoal-combusting grill shops/street-carts and Particulate Matter (PM2.5) measurement, and examined the exposure and health effects among grill workers. Multiple sampling techniques were applied to identify study samples. Respiratory symptoms were the health effect of interest among grill workers.
Results: Estimated emission of pollutants was over 75 tons/year from grill shops. Average PM2.5 level was 84.8 μg/m3 (21.6 - 254.8 μg/m3); which is above standard limits. A very high level of PM2.5 was found in grill markets. Most grill workers were female, worked 6-7 days/week, at least 8 h/day. Factors contributing to the presence of respiratory symptoms among grill
workers were female gender, low income, indoor grilling, more years of grill-work, experience of intense smoke-cough, self-reliance on health and cigarette smoking.
Conclusion: Grilling contributes to ambient air pollution, posing potential adverse environmental and public health impacts. Grill workers are likely to be exposed to high levels of all forms of air pollutants from street food grilling. Effective strategies are required to better protect grill workers from the effect of exposure to these harmful toxins and minimize the negative impacts on their health. -
Introduction: In both developed and developing countries, re-suspension of dust particles along the road owing to tire and brake wear is the most common source of Particulate Matters (PM) pollution in metropolitan areas. This study in Douala analyses the effects of paved and unpaved roads on particle matters concentration thresholds in urban environments.
Materials and methods: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)'s model AP-42 equations were used to calculate the amount of particle matter emissions on the roads. Between 6 am and 8 pm, a traffic analysis using information from the city of Douala was conducted. The busiest times for traffic were from 8 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. We applied a two-dimensional Gaussian model to determine the particle concentration. Two different scenarios were taken into account: Compared to Scenario 2 (S2), Scenario 1 (S1) represents an unpaved road. The PM10 and PM2.5 types of particles were the main topics of interest.
Results: We obtained for S1, around 917.70 µg/m3 and 559.00 µg/m3 respectively for PM10 and PM2.5. We got roughly 170.00 µg/m3 and 103.90 µg/m3 for S2, respectively for the two particles. The amount of silt deposited
on the road, the kind of road (paved or unpaved), the number, and the types of vehicles moving all influence the emission of road dust re-suspension. Regardless of particle size, these pollution levels are beyond World Health Organization (WHO) recommended norms.
Conclusion: This study offers important information on Douala's pollution levels, which can be a significant cause of disease in the area and should be considered. -
Introduction: Due to various components, materials, and processes, industrial indoor air quality differs from building indoor air. Air quality and the working environment impact health, performance, and comfort. This study developed an Indoor Work Environmental Air Quality Index (IWEAQI) to assess and characterize industrial work environments.
Materials and methods: Surat “Textile city” is situated in the western partof India in Gujarat state. The small-scale dyeing and printing industry has been selected as a study area. The industry locations like Jet dyeing machine area, stenter machine area, printing machine area, looping machine area and washing basin area has been selected. Various chemicals, adhesives, solvents, dyes, and varied temperature and humidity conditions are used to transform the raw cloth into the finished product. CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, O3, Total Volatile Organic compounds (TVOC), Formaldehyde, Particulate Matters (PM10, PM2.5), WBGT index, humidity, noise, and light were considered to construct IWEAQI. Continuous observations were recorded at minute intervals with a real-time monitoring system. To account for all contributing aspects, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) air quality index technique was updated for index formulation. IWEAQI was validated using
the Pollution Index approach.
Results: The proposed approach calculated IWEAQI from results. Both approaches gave an index value of 46-80. The developed approach and pollution index method were compared using regression analysis. All study locations had regression values between 0.93 and 0.99.
Conclusion: The technique classifies IWEAQI as excellent (0-20), good (21-40), moderate (41-60), poor (61-80), and very poor (81-100). From the developed index value, which parameters are influencing the most can be judged. -
Introduction: The quality of air is becoming progressively worsen day to day. The increasing concentration of air pollution and its associated health effects are rapidly rising in Bangladesh and have drawn attention in recent years. The purpose of the research is to look into the increasing levels of air pollution in Bangladesh, specifically the proportion of Air Quality Index (AQI) in four seasons and six districts, monthly mean AQI, the correlation between PM2.5 and AQI between 2014 and 2019.
Materials and methods: The AQI data from six monitoring stations have been collected for research purposes from Continuous Air Monitoring Stations (CAMS). MS Excel 2020 and IBM SPSS V27 were used for the analysis.
Results: This study reveals that air quality in six districts of Bangladesh has been declining from 2014 to 2019, with winter and monsoon seasons being the most polluted. Dhaka and Narayanganj were found to have the unhealthiest air quality. There is a strong relationship between Paerticulate Matters (PM2.5) and AQI, with AQI increasing with the amount of PM2.5 in all cities. In January, February, March, November, and December, the monthly mean AQI was higher, but in May, June, and July, the mean was lower. The F-values were significant based on seasons and stations. Overall, the study highlights the increasing air pollution and associated health effects in Bangladesh.
Conclusion: Air pollution in Bangladesh is a significant issue due to industrialization, urbanization, transportation, and fuel use, resulting in consistently high AQI levels throughout the year except during rainy months. -
Introduction: One of the most important sources of pollution is the noise generated by traffic and transportation, especially the urban railway system (metro), thus this study aimed to assess the noise exposure of Tehran Metro employees and its relation with noise annoyance and audiometric results of employees.
Materials and methods: Measurement was done by using a TES-1351B sound level meter recommendations for all employees which consists of the staff of the station affairs and the staff of the administrative department. A self-reporting questionnaire on workplace noise annoyance were distributed to the employees and then audiometric were used to measure the employees' hearing level.
Results: The average noise exposure in platform workers was 79.3±10 dB and in control room workers was 56.5±6.9 dB. A significant difference was found between the average noise exposure in the employees of the two groups (control room-platform) (p-value=0.001). Based on the results, noise in the work environment was significantly more annoying for people working in metro line 1 than in line 6 (p-value=0.025).
Conclusion: These results show that in general, due to the sound pressure level of 10% of the platform employees being higher than the permissible limit and the increase in the level of noise annoyance of the employees at the frequency of 8 kHz, it is necessary to plan and adopt administrative and technical-engineering measures to reduce the level of noise pollution to about it seems necessary to allow the standard.
