Investigation of heavy metals level in airborne particles of Tehran & evaluating their carcinogenicity
The severe metals pollution in airborne particles of Tehran was assessed by TMU researchers and their ecological risk was evaluated as well.
The sampling of street dust was carried out in two areas at the east and west of Tehran. It was concluded that the average concentration of airborne particles' heavy metals (PM4) in east of Tehran is higher than west. The results of the calculations of the indices showed that the street dust (PM4) in both studied areas was polluted with As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn and cd in wich their origin was mainly anthropogenic sources (especially transportation and vehicles).
The most dangerous element among airborne particles inTehran (in terms of cancer) is Cr (VI), which should be given more attention and its anthropogenic sources should be controlled. This study was conducted by Dr. Sohrab Mazloumi, Dr. Abbas Esmaili Sari and Dr. Nader Bahrami Far from environmental department of natural resources and marine sciences faculty.
