Estimation of Inhalation Intake of Metals in a Traffic-Affected Residential Area of East Cairo, Egypt
Mahmoud A. Hassanien, Nasser M. Abdel-Latif, Alia A. Shakour, and Inas A. Saleh
Department of Air Pollution Research, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Corresponding author: Dr. Nasser M. Abdel-Latif
Department of Air Pollution Research
National Research Centre
El-Tahrir Street
Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Telephones: 202-412-7152 and 2010-128-3594
Fax number: 202-337-0931
E-mail: nabdellatif@gmail.com
CEJOEM 2006, Vol.12. No.4.: 257–267
Key words:
Outdoor and indoor air pollution, traffic, heavy metals inhalation, human exposure, children and adults
Abstract:
Individual exposure to atmospheric metal contaminants of indoor and outdoor microenvironments was examined.
To this end, ambient and indoor levels of Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co, and V were investigated over one year in a
residential area close to an important traffic road of East Cairo. The results reflected fluctuation of metal
concentrations in different sections of the day in both microenvironments. Indoor concentrations of most metals
studied were higher than the corresponding outdoor ones. The data obtained were interrelated to characterized
hazard to humans caused by combined inhalational exposure to various metals. Data of adult and child populations
were analysed. Inhaled exposure doses were calculated for both groups and the indoor doses were found higher than
the outdoor ones. In addition to metal concentration, inhalation rate, age, and body mass were identified as main
factors affecting individual exposure to contaminants. The findings point to the significant contribution of indoor
environment to the total human exposure.
Received: 31 July 2006
Accepted: 13 December 2006
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