Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine the level of pollution with heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and their potential sources in dust samples collected from schools in Ramadi City, Iraq. The dust samples were collected from 40 primary schools and two kindergartens and analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The heavy metal concentrations were found to follow the order Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cd. The results indicated that the concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Pb exceeded the permitted background values. The pollution level was assessed using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and pollution load index (PLI). The classification of dust samples according to Igeo values showed that they ranged from unpolluted for Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn, to moderately polluted for Pb, and heavily polluted for Cd. The PLI values indicated no to moderate pollution load. The results of the comparisons of heavy metal concentrations with the background values, as well as the multivariate statistical analysis, indicated three groups of heavy metals with different sources or origins: (1) Cd and Cu (anthropogenic source: vehicle emissions); (2) Pb (mixed source); and (3) Cr, Ni, and Zn (Geogenic source). This study is the first attempt in Iraq to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals in the dust of indoor environments. This study provides the environmental protection managers and decision-makers with important information about the concentrations of heavy metals and their sources in indoor environments.
Highlights
The elevated concentrations of heavy metals in the different environmental media is a serious environmental issue because of their toxicity, stability, non-degradability, and harmful effects on human health [1]
A large number of studies focused on heavy metals pollution of outdoor environments, while less attention has been given to heavy metals pollution of indoor environments
As compared to the adults, the children are more vulnerable to the risks of heavy metals in the dust, because of their habits of crawling, randomly inserting materials into the mouth, sucking fingers, and high respiratory rate that increase the risk of the intake of heavy metals [12,13]
Summary
The elevated concentrations of heavy metals in the different environmental media (water, air, soil, dust,.. etc) is a serious environmental issue because of their toxicity, stability, non-degradability, and harmful effects on human health [1]. Many studies have been carried out to evaluate and characterize pollution with heavy metals in outdoor dust [14, 15, 16, 17]. Characterization of heavy metal pollution level in classroom dust has been carried out in kindergartens and primary school environments in different countries, such as Malaysia [25, 26], Pakistan [27], Nigeria [28], Iran [5], Saudi Arabia [29], and Portugal [30]. This study is the first to evaluate the levels of heavy metals in the classrooms dust of kindergartens and primary schools in the country. The objectives of this work are to (1) measure some heavy metal concentrations in classrooms dust of the kindergartens and primary schools in Ramadi City, (2) identify the sources of heavy metals in classrooms dust, and (3) assess the pollution level of heavy metals in the classroom dust
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