Characterization and exposure assessment to urban air toxics across Middle Eastern and North African countries: a review.

Middle East and North African (MENA) countries over the decades are experiencing rapid industrial and infrastructural growth combined with being the global hub of oil and gas industries. These economic transformations are associated with release of air pollutants including urban air toxics (UAT) through industrial, traffic, and constructional activities into ambient urban environments. UAT concentrations levels may exacerbate in most MENA countries considering high number of vehicular traffic populations and petrochemical industries which are one of the main sources of this pollutant.

Public awareness, perceptions and attitudes on air pollution and its health effects in Muscat, Oman.

A survey was conducted in Muscat/Oman between February and May of 2020, with a total of 1289 respondents to investigate public knowledge, behavior, and attitudes about the air pollution via online questionnaire. We considered the disparity among gender, age and education level in four main aspects, viz. sources of access to information, knowledge and risk perception about air pollution and willingness to change and act for mitigation.

Mass concentration and morphological analysis of PM10 and PM2.5 particles in congested roads during day hours in three major cities of Oman.

PM10 and PM2.5 samples were collected using the particulates E-Sampler from congested roads in three major cities of Oman. The average PM10 concentration varied from 35.

Human and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in different particle sizes of road dust in Muscat, Oman.

Heavy metal contamination of Hg, As, Cu, Cr, Zn, and Pb was investigated in three different fractions 45, 125, and 200 μm of road dust in Muscat, Oman. Dust samples were collected from three different traffic roads, viz. high, medium, and low based on traffic volume and then sieved individually before they analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).

Occupational exposure to pesticides and associated health effects among greenhouse farm workers.

The number and production capacities of greenhouse farms have been increased across the globe, driven by an effort for addressing food security problems related to the rapid population growth and the effects of climate change. As a result, there was a large increase in the number of greenhouse farm workers who are typically involved in chemical preparations and pesticide sprayings, crop harvesting, and greenhouse maintenance activities. Considering the enclosed architecture of the greenhouse farm design and the frequent application of pesticides, the objective of this review was to characterize pesticide exposure levels and resultant health effects among greenhouse farm workers.

Heavy metals levels in road dust from Muscat, Oman: relationship with traffic volumes, and ecological and health risk assessments.

Dust samples from roads classified based on traffic volumes (low, medium and high traffic) were collected from Muscat, Oman, and then analyzed for a dozen heavy metals. Their contents varied widely with mercury and iron, having the lowest and highest concentrations (0.59-0.