Elemental Composition and Concentration of Atmospheric Particulate Matter in Kuwait

Abstract

Hourly PM 10 and PM 2.5 samples were simultaneously collected at 10 and 3 urban sites, respectively in Kuwait from March 2014 to February 2015, to study the air quality and heavy metals content and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) in PM 10 samples. The annual average concentrations of PM 10 and PM 2.5 were 152 and 97.3 µg/m 3 , respectively, with an average PM 2.5 /PM 10 ratio of 70%. The contamination level of heavy metals in PM 10 samples was assessed in terms of Enrichment Factor (EF) using mathematical models. The elements associated with an anthropogenic activity in the PM 10 samples; i.e., Pb, Cu, Co, Cd and Zn, were 2

Prevalence of lead toxicity in adolescents in Kuwait

“…Air samples collected from several urban areas of Kuwait showed high Pb content in the 10-μm size particulate matter (PM 10 ). The PM 10 Pb content on average was 2.4 times higher than corresponding background Pb levels in the soil [ 14 ]. High levels of Pb in various foods, both locally grown and imported, have been reported [ 15 – 17 ].…”