Investigation of gaseous pollutants in residential-industrial area: Ambient levels, temporal variation and health risk assessment

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the ambient concentration levels of ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide with temporal variations and to determine the risk of exposure to their pollutant on public people living in this area. Materials and Methods: In the present study, GLO, NOx and SO2 concentrations were monitored using an ambient analyzer during the period of April to September 2018. Results: The results of the present study show that the average of SO2, NO2 and GLO concentrations in the INZ location was found to be about 8.9, 7.2 and 11.9 times the average value in the SHV location and about 4.8, 5.3 and 2.9 times the average value in the CMC location, respectively. The average values of SO2 and NO2 concentrations in the INZ varied from 97.2 to 128.1 μg/m3 in the evening hours and from 50.2 to 62.3 μg/m3 in the morning hours respectively. Also, the lowest concentration of NO2 was observed during afternoon hours when GLO showed a peak. The maximum pikes of GLO concentration were observed at 13:00 PM with 249.3 μg/m3. Results of human health risk assessment indicated acceptable risk (hazard quotient (HQ) values ˂ 1) for non-carcinogenic adverse health effect. Conclusions: The findings in the present study can be useful in developing control-based strategies for primary pollutant emissions, and also GLO formation, improve air quality and reducing possible risks on human health. Policymakers should enforce the limits on the release of pollutants into the atmosphere in the study area by strengthening existing legislation.

Keywords

• Ambient air quality;
• Gaseous pollutants ;
• Temporal variation
• Health risk assessment.