H2S- and NH3- Induced Hazard in the Surroundings of a Dump Site

Yasser H. Ibrahim, Alia A. Shakour, Mahmoud A. Hassanien, and Nasser M. Abdel-Latif

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.: 269–277


Key words:
Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, organic waste, hazard quotient (HQ), children, adults


Abstract:
Emissions of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia gases as products of the decomposition of vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry waste residues thrown along a running stream, in the Giza region, west of Greater Cairo, is an intriguing point due to their harmful effects on humans and the environment. To assess the monthly, seasonal, and annual concentrations of these gaseous contaminants and evaluate human exposure in the nearby residential areas, air samples were collected from December 2004 to November 2005 at three sites close to the stream and one site far from the source of contaminants. Annual ambient concentrations at the investigated areas were 146, 143, and 123 µg/m3 for H2S and 115, 116, and 95 µg/m3 for NH3, vs. 12 and 15 µg/m3 obtained at the control site for H2S and NH3, respectively. The H2S and NH3 concentrations were found to be the highest, at all sites, in summer season. Based on the current data, human exposure to H2S and NH3 was estimated. The results defined hazard quotients (HQ) >1.00, consequently definite risk was expected due to inhalation of H2S and NH3.


Received: 19 September 2006
Accepted: 18 December 2006

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