Abstract: Background and Objective: Several research studies have found a relationship between exposure to indoor particulates and serious health problems. In this research, the mass concentration of inhalable particles in four offices is measured experimentally. Materials and Methods: Three airborne particles sizes (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10), were monitored in the offices during occupancy and non-occupancy periods, Qassim University Campus, KSA. Results: The results show that most activities made in the investigated offices are a strong factor affecting PM10 and PM2.5. However, the influence of such activities on PM1 was not strong except for vacuuming where the concentration level increased during cleaning activity. The impact of outdoor particles on the air inside was significant for PM1 and PM2.5, while its effect on PM10 was moderate. Conclusion: Particulates generated outdoor contributed significantly to the particle concentrations in the offices, particularly for PM1 and PM2.5 size fractions. The concentration level of the particle fractions (PM10 and PM2.5) during the occupancy period does not satisfy the World Health Organization (WHO). PubDate: 09 July, 2021
Abstract: Background and Objective: In the precarious neighbourhoods of developing countries built on the outskirts of urban centres, about 70% of the population is not connected to the drinking water network and consumes groundwater whose quality is not controlled. This situation is responsible for health disasters that lead to the death of several million people. In this study, sanitation practices, physicochemical and bacteriological quality of groundwater and the potential impact of equipping wells with electric pump were assessed in a precarious neighbourhood in sub-Saharan Africa. Materials and Methods: Questionnaires were administered to 100 households to determine their sanitation practices. The water samples from 12 wells were analyzed for physicochemical and bacteriological evaluations. Results: The solid and liquid wastes are evacuated in nature, watercourses and roads by the local population. The main sanitary facilities are traditional pit latrines and their distance to wells violated the limits of the guidelines. pH, Salinity and turbidity exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) standards within 58.33, 75 and 41.67% of the wells respectively, thus affecting the organoleptic quality of the groundwater. Faecal and total coliforms, faecal streptococci, Salmonella and Vibrio exceeded WHO guidelines in 91.67% of the wells. The presence of an electric pump does not significantly improve groundwater quality. Conclusion: To reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases in precarious neighbourhoods in developing countries, it is necessary to extend the drinking water distribution network in these neighbourhoods and encourage the population to treat groundwater before consumption. PubDate: 09 July, 2021
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