Assessment of air pollution in the industrial area of the Maracanau district in Ceara state, Brazil

ABSTRACT

The intensification of industrial activities and the increase in vehicular emissions have contributed significantly to the increase in atmospheric pollution in urban centers. In this context, the present study aimed to monitor the air quality in the area of Maracanaú Industrial District, in the state of Ceará, an important industrial area in northeastern region of Brazil. Samples were collected during 24 h from November 2015 to April 2016 for pollutants such as total suspended (TSP) and inhalable particle materials (PM₁₀), NO₂, SO₂, O₃ and heavy metals (Sb, Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) associated with TSP and PM₁₀. Ozone (O₃) was determined by ultraviolet absorption (254 nm) and the concentration of heavy metals were estimated by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mean values observed for the pollutant concentrations were: 51.3 μg/m³ for TSP; 46.1 μg/m³ for PM₁₀; 8.9 μg/m³ for SO₂; 8.3 μg/m³ for NO₂; 38.5 μg/m³ for O₃ in 8 hours and 48.4 μg/m³ for O₃ in 1 hour. Among metals, Fe (14.9 µg/m³) was the most abundant species in both particulates. All the parameters analyzed are in accordance with the values established by the Brazilian legislation and only PM₁₀ are above the recommended by the World Health Organization in 16.7 % of the samples (mean 74.5 μg/m³). In general, the air quality in the industrial area under study can be considered good, according to the estimates of the air quality index (AQI) recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Keywords:
air quality; industrial area; particulate matter; inorganic gases; heavy metals