Assessment of the Traffic Emissions and their Health Impacts in Gaza City

Abstract

Background: Traffic emission is a major source of air pollution in most urban areas and responsible for resultant health effects at the population level. The aim of this study is to determine the emissions from the motor vehicles such as CO2, CO, humidity and temperature in at the roadside at several sites of Gaza City and to investigate the associated health effects. Methodology: Levels of CO2, CO humidity and temperature were monitored at each intersection of the main streets, selected for one hour during the morning, low traffic hours (10:30a.m – 1:30p.m) and one hour during the afternoon, high traffic hours (3:30p.m – 6:00p. m) by using air pollutant devices; Kanomax meter and multimeter. A questionnaire was distributed randomly to people in the streets and the drivers of the cars to evaluate traffic emissions and their health impacts. Result: The obtained levels of concentration of air pollutants were compared withEuropean Union (EU) and National Ambient Air Quality Standards NAAQS standard as there no published Palestinian standards yet. Based on [EU, 2013] and m[EPA, 2013a] standard and guidelines for CO, the average level of CO 5.5 ppm was less than international standard.According to literature review, the acceptable level of CO2 must be less than 350 ppm. The average level of CO2 at all monitoring day 430.2 ppm and higher than acceptable level. The average level of Temperture at all monitoring day is 20.9 Co. The average level of Humidity at all monitoring day is 60%. Conclusion: The overall air quality of the area was found to be poor and there were general and respiratory health effects reportedly being experienced by the people in the area. The encouragement of research on air pollution control, air quality monitoring and the setting of national standards regarding air pollution is highly recommended.