Total suspended dust and heavy metal levels emitted from a workplace compared with nearby residential houses

Sabah A. Abdul-Wahab*, Basma Yaghi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Total suspended particulate matter (TSP) were collected from the workplace in Sohar Industrial Estate (SIE) in Oman. The samples were taken from 19 different industrial activities that represent major sources of particulate matter in the SIE. The collected samples were analyzed for 9 heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd, V and Mo) by using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry analysis (ICP-OES). Furthermore, the indoor TSP and heavy metal concentrations were measured inside 12 houses within Sohar residential area to determine the contributions of various industrial activities on nearby residential houses. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of heavy metals in the TSP were too low to yield any known environmental health effects. In general, the results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in the workplaces of SIE and its nearby houses were low compared to the guideline values. In addition, the values were low in comparison with other known sites around the world. Moreover, significant contribution from industrial sources at SIE was evidenced at nearby houses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)745-750
Number of pages6
JournalAtmospheric Environment
Volume38
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2004

Keywords

  • Heavy metals
  • Indoor air quality
  • Sohar Industrial Estate
  • Sultanate of Oman
  • Tsp
  • Workplace

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • Atmospheric Science

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