Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health

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Air Pollution from Traffic at Major Causeway Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia


Affiliations
1 Environmental Health department, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
2 Department Public Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
3 Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
 

Introduction: Causeway is providing a road link between travelers from Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The vehicle traffic noise and emissions exhaust at Causeway have a significant effect on air quality parameters which leads to deteriorations impact on health of employees and passengers. The present study aimed to analyze the ambient air pollutants PM10, PM2.5, PM1, O3, CO2, SO2, CO, VOCs, and NO2, ambient noise and heat stress in and around causeway. Materials and Methods: All gaseous, particulate air pollutants, meteorological factors, ambient noise and heat stress were analyzed using standards calibrated equipment. July 2019 to October 2019 the study incused seven administrative sites in King Fahd causeway (Saudi Side). Air Quality Index (AQI) was used to determine the concentrations of selected ambient air pollutants. Results: All major air pollutants were high and significant difference in the concentration level between weekdays and weekends (p<0.05) and exceeds the international air quality guidelines in the selected studied sites of causeways. However, ambient noise demonstrated high significant levels in different studied sites in different times (p<0.05). Conclusion: Air quality measures in Causeway are significantly deteriorated and should be continuously evaluated to minimize the risk of daily exposure to traffic emissions.


Keywords

Air, Ambient, Gaseous, Pollutants, Quality.
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  • Air Pollution from Traffic at Major Causeway Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

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Authors

Khaled F. Salama
Environmental Health department, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Mubashir Zafar
Department Public Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Dulaim Abdullah Alrabea
Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Ali Alqahtani
Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Suhaib Abdulaziz Almarghoub
Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Ali Abdullah Alshehri
Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract


Introduction: Causeway is providing a road link between travelers from Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The vehicle traffic noise and emissions exhaust at Causeway have a significant effect on air quality parameters which leads to deteriorations impact on health of employees and passengers. The present study aimed to analyze the ambient air pollutants PM10, PM2.5, PM1, O3, CO2, SO2, CO, VOCs, and NO2, ambient noise and heat stress in and around causeway. Materials and Methods: All gaseous, particulate air pollutants, meteorological factors, ambient noise and heat stress were analyzed using standards calibrated equipment. July 2019 to October 2019 the study incused seven administrative sites in King Fahd causeway (Saudi Side). Air Quality Index (AQI) was used to determine the concentrations of selected ambient air pollutants. Results: All major air pollutants were high and significant difference in the concentration level between weekdays and weekends (p<0.05) and exceeds the international air quality guidelines in the selected studied sites of causeways. However, ambient noise demonstrated high significant levels in different studied sites in different times (p<0.05). Conclusion: Air quality measures in Causeway are significantly deteriorated and should be continuously evaluated to minimize the risk of daily exposure to traffic emissions.


Keywords


Air, Ambient, Gaseous, Pollutants, Quality.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18311/jeoh%2F2020%2F24730