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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