Assessing the Levels and Health Risk of Atmospheric Formaldehyde in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Atmospheric Formaldehyde (HCHO) was monitored in four sites on the Holy Mosque of Makkah, Saudi Arabia during August, 2013. The daily mean concentrations of HCHO were ranged from 1.09-18.92 g/m3. The levels of HCHO were significantly higher than the permissible exposure limit (0.042 μg/m3) of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). However, it were not exceeded the recommended exposure limit of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (20 μg/m3) and Egyptian law 4/1994 (0.37 mg/m3). Spatial variations of HCHO concentrations most probably due to variations in local meteorology and traffic flow, which was considered the main source of emissions. Exposure doses for various age groups were estimated, which ranged from 0.000004 to 0.000259 mg/kg/day. Maximum exposure dose was recorded for boys (age 12-14 years) and children (6-8 years) and minimum for females (19-65 years).

Keywords

• Formaldehyde
• vehicle emissions
• risk assessment
• The Holy Mosque
• Makkah