This study investigates the concentrations, pollution levels, and human health implications of heavy metals in road dust collected along the Marmaray rail line and the adjacent coastal road on the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkiye. The average concentrations of the analyzed trace elements followed the order: Si > Fe > Al > Ti > Mn > Zn > Ba > Cr > Sr > Pb > Ni > V > Sn > Co > Sc > Sb > Ag > As. In three indices (I-geo, EF, and ERF), Zn showed the highest levels among the elements analyzed. Spatial distribution patterns were visualized using GIS tools, while Correlation Coefficient Analysis and Principal Component Analysis were applied to identify pollution sources, demonstrating that railway operations, fossil fuel combustion, traffic emissions, and mixed crustal/ship-derived inputs were the primary contributors. Human health risk assessments for adults and children were performed across ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure pathways. The results indicated that Cr poses a substantial public health risk, contributing significantly to both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects among regular commuters as well as residents around the sampling area. Carcinogenic risk was found to be high for adults (8.2E-07) than children (5.0E-07). The cumulative hazard index for children exceeded the acceptable threshold, indicating non-cancer risks of concern. These outcomes underscore the extensive influence of anthropogenic activities on urban environmental quality and public health. Given the presence of heavy metal emissions from traffic, expanding large-scale public transportation services to reduce this emission burden significantly contributes to mitigating potential environmental and health impacts. Continuous environmental and health assessments are therefore essential for effective impact evaluation and public health management.

Dust from intensive mining operations like quarrying is a major concern in urban areas and should be assessed from environmental and public health perspectives. This study investigates the geochemical properties of trace elements in street dust and their associated health risks, based on samples collected from 40 georeferenced sites across three densely populated districts of Istanbul (Sultangazi, Eyüp, and Gaziosmanpaşa) located near and affected by quarries. The concentration distribution of 21 elements (Si > Al > Fe > Mg > Na > Ti > Mn > Zn > Ba > Cu > Cr > V > Pb > Ni > Sb > Co > As > Cd > Hg > Mo > Sn) was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), indicating that elements associated with natural sources are more dominant. The concentrations of potentially toxic elements exhibited wide spatial variability, with Co ranging from 6.14 to 4467.49 mg kg−1, Cr from 36.78 to 2933.88 mg kg−1, Zn from 47.75 to 3828.63 mg kg−1, Pb from 6.89 to 1166.41 mg kg−1, and As from 0.25 to 1032.63 mg kg−1. Pollution levels were assessed, revealing extremely high contamination levels for Co based on the enrichment factor (EF = 107.99) and for Sn based on the geo-accumulation index (Igeo = 8.73). Human health risk assessment identifies ingestion as the dominant exposure pathway, with non-carcinogenic risk exceeding acceptable thresholds for children, particularly for Co, Cr, and As which their total hazard index was 2.65E+01. Carcinogenic risk via inhalation remains within acceptable limits. The findings emphasize the dominant role of particulate matter from quarries in contributing to urban street dust pollution. Moreover, the high levels of elements classified as potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in road dust, combined with quarrying activities, can lead to the accumulation of heavy metals in environmental components, disrupting ecosystem balance and posing significant environmental and human health risks to communities living in these areas.

The increasing popularity of roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco has raised toxicological concerns regarding heavy metal exposure. This study quantified fourteen metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Cd, Mo, Co, Sb, Pb, As, Hg, and V) in RYO tobacco samples collected from ten provinces in Türkiye using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Fe exhibited the highest mean concentration (18.11 mg.kg−1), followed by Zn (10.53 mg.kg−1) and Mn (5.020 mg.kg−1), whereas As (0.041 mg.kg−1), Hg (0.015 mg.kg−1) and V (0.001 mg.kg−1) occurred at the lowest concentrations. Statistically significant correlations were observed, including Fe-Hg (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) and Zn-As (r = -0.77, p < 0.01), indicating shared geochemical influences and contrasting uptake patterns. Health risk assessment following USEPA guidelines indicated that all Hazard Quotients (HQ < 1) and Hazard Index (HI = 4.8 × 10–3) remained below the non-carcinogenic threshold, and Carcinogenic Risk values ranged from 2.50 × 10–7 to 2.00 × 10–10 and remained below 10–6. The results characterize metal exposure levels in RYO tobacco and indicate potential toxic elements as elements requiring continued monitoring due to their toxicological relevance.

The levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) Mn, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, As, Sb and Cd in street dust from Baghdad city were determined. The sources of PTEs in street dust were analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis that combined with the spatial distributions of PTEs. The mean concentration of the PTEs in the present study follows a trend of Mn > Zn > Cr > Co > Ni > Cu > Pb > As > Sb > Cd. The overall contamination of PTEs in street dust was characterized as moderate to strongly contaminated due to As, Cd and Pb. The ecological risk associated with As was very high, while the ecological risks associated with and Ni, Sb, Co, Zn, Cr, and Mn were low. The overall ecological risk of PTEs was defined as moderate, driven by As. The carcinogenic risks of PTEs to inhabitants fell within safety limits while there is a non-carcinogenic risk for children. A comprehensive analysis of PTEs sources revealed that Zn, Cu, and Pb were principally associated with traffic emissions, which accounted for about 17.8

Different health management strategies may need to be implemented in different regions to cope with diseases. The current work aims to evaluate the relationship between air quality parameters and the number of new COVID-19 cases in two different geographical locations, namely Western Anatolia and Western Black Sea in Turkey. Principal component analysis (PCA) and regression model were utilized to describe the effect of environmental parameters (air quality and meteorological parameters) on the number of new COVID-19 cases. A big difference in the mean values for all air quality parameters has appeared between the two areas. Two regression models were developed and showed a significant relationship between the number of new cases and the selected environmental parameters. The results showed that wind speed, SO2, CO, NOX, and O-3 are not influential variable and does not affect the number of new cases of COVID-19 in the Western Black Sea area, while only wind speed, SO2, CO, NOX, and O-3 are influential parameters on the number of new cases in Western Anatolia. Although the environmental parameters behave differently in each region, these results revealed that the relationship between the air quality parameters and the number of new cases is significant.

In urban areas, dust accumulated on the surface is one of the most used sampling methods used to evaluate environmental pollution, due to the effectiveness of meteorology and topography in the transport and accumulation of atmospheric pollution. The heavy metal concentration of surface dust collected from stadium seats was examined in this study. 22 different heavy metals namely Si, Fe, Al, Ti, Mn, Zn, Sr, Ba, Cr, Pb, Co, V, Ni, Sn, Sc, Bi, Sb, Ag, As, Mo, Hg and Cd concentrations were determined by ICP-MS and ICP-OES techniques, and SEM image was examined to determine its morphological structure. Heavy metal concentrations, except Zn and Bi, were found to be lower than those found in the earth crust. The shape and size of the particles indicated that the environment could be influenced by the natural soil source and anthropogenic sources. In addition, two separate assessments were conducted in terms of exposure to dust toxicity for normal daily activity and sporting activity coupled with normal daily activity. The results were considered acceptable because the health risk and cancer risk assessments were below the limit values.

The addition of additives is one strategy used to boost the biogas and methane yield during the anaerobic digestion (AD) process. Many additives were used in AD and reported dramatically increased biogas and methane production. Street dust (SD), which consists of many elements, is a promising AD additive. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of using SD as an additive to the AD of cattle manure. For this purpose, dust samples were collected from the Dilovası region, where intense industrial activities occur in Turkey, and added as an additive to the AD system at 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 wt

Street dust samples were collected from 31 sampling sites which were classified into four different groups in Zawiya, Libya, covering different traffic, city center, junkyards, oil refinery, farming, and household activities. Since the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in street dust have a non-negligible impact on health, the aim of this study is to investigate the sources, pollution level and human health risk of PTEs. In this study, wavelength distribution X-ray fluorescence device was used to determine the concentration of PTEs. The spatial distribution, contamination levels, sources, and human health risks of PTEs in road dust were evaluated. The PTEs content of the street dust were found as Cr>Mn>Zn>Pb>Cu>Ni>Co. The average concentration of most PTEs (Co, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn) was higher in junkyards and heavily traffic areas than in other areas. Cobalt and Cu has the highest geo accumulation index (Igeo) values, and due to these values, the study area was evaluated as moderately to heavily contaminated. Enrichment factor (EF) values of Cr, Pb and Zn exhibited a significant enrichment, indicating that some sampling sites were affected by anthropogenic sources. There was no lifetime cancer risk for exposure to PTEs in street dust by inhalation in Zawiya. Each hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) for all PTEs were less than 1, indicating that exposure to PTEs in street dust did not have significant non-carcinogenic risks for both adults and children. In conclusion, Zn, Pb, Cu, Mn, and Cr were represented by the largest portion of the total data variance in the principal component analysis (PCA), and they were positively correlated. It was seen that study area was influenced by anthropogenic sources rather than natural sources, but there was no health risk.

Municipal waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA) is categorized as hazardous waste because of its high content of potentially toxic elements and other pollutants (e.g., heavy metal species and heavy metals leaching). Stabilizing and immobilizing heavy metals in fly ash or removing dioxins are two significant issues that must be overcome in treating and disposing of MSWIFA. This paper emphasizes state-of-art findings from literatures on the challenges of using ashes from the combustion of municipal solid waste (MSW). The reviewed articles suggested that the MSW ash can be safely used in various fields of engineering. However, the risk of using these substances in terms of environmental and human health conditions should be carefully considered.

Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems that threaten human health today. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollutant on mortality in Sakarya. Air pollutant data were obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change (MEUCC), and population and death data were obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) database. For the population aged 30 and over, estimated attributable proportion (EAP), estimated number of attributable cases (ENAC), and estimated number of attributable cases per 100,000 (ENAC/100,000) population at risk group were calculated with AirQ+ software in 2018 and 2019 for cut-off values (COV) of 20, and 10 μg/m3. In Sakarya for 2018 and 2019, the mean concentrations of NO2 were determined as 28.12 and 31.50 μg/m3, respectively. Due to the increase in 2018 and 2019 annual NO2 concentration, was increased from 3.21% to 4.52% and from 7.02% to 8.28% for COV of 20 and 10 μg/m3, respectively. It has been observed that the World Health Organization (WHO) decreasing the air quality guideline level for NO2 resulted in an increase in death rates attributable to this pollutant, as expected.

Generally, white-flowering horse-chestnut seed (WFHC) found in roadsides, parks and gardens, which spills around and causes environmental pollution, is defined as waste-bio material. This study is quite remarkable as it gives WFHC a new field of usage and literally prioritizes the environment. Here, waste-bio WFHC was tested as supporter for tri-metallic RuNiPd nanoclusters in the eco-friendly dehydrogenation of dimethylamine-borane (DMAB). Core-shell-looking tri-metallic RuNiPd@WFHC, with 264.09 +/- 45.55 nm particle size, were in-situ synthesized throughout dehydrogenation of DMAB at 35.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. The WFHC and tri-metallic Ru2.00Ni1.86Pd1.00@WFHC NCs were characterized by advanced analysis and their surface morphologies were studied in detail using adsorption models. The N2 adsorption-desorption and logarithmic-Freundlich plots indicated that surface morphologies have heterogeneous multi-layer and typical Type-III isotherm with meso-porous surfaces. Also, detailed kinetic studies were actualized on the dehydrogenation of DMAB catalyzed by tri-metallic Ru2.00Ni1.86Pd1.00@WFHC NCs with 158 h-1 TOF value.(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Street dust samples can be used as an indicator for pollution monitoring especially in big cities. Various environmental problems have been experienced in Dilovasi, Turkey, and studies have been carried out in many different areas; however, no study has been conducted to examine the heavy metal content in street dusts. Therefore, in this study, 20 heavy metals, namely Si, Fe, Al, Zn, Mn, Ti, Cr, Ba, Pb, Ni, Sr, V, Co, Cd, Sb, As, Sn, Mo, Sc and Ag, in the street dusts of Dilovasi were investigated at 40 sampling points. Samples were analyzed with ICP–MS and ICP–OES. The concentrations were from 0.01 mg/kg for Ag to 42,645.48 mg/kg for Si. The Igeo values were in the range of 0.02 for Ag and 8.03 for V. The average EF value was 29.67, which indicates a very high pollution level. ERI was found as 300.74. This value being 300–600 indicates a considerable ecological risk level for the region. According to PCA, the predominant anthropogenic contribution of metal pollution in this area was due to traffic and vehicle-related activities and industrial activities and their waste. Metal pollution from residential areas and natural resources was relatively low, but it was another source of pollution.

This study evaluates the concentration of PM10, PM2.5, NOx, NO2, CO and SO2 parameters and the four climatological parameters (temperature, wind speed, humidity and net radiation flux) during the four seasons. Various statistical techniques were utilized to study the behavior of the selected parameters during the seasons. Descriptive statistics exhibited that the studied parameters have high concentrations in winter, except for NO2 (which has a high concentration in autumn), while the concentrations of those parameters were the lowest in summer, except for NO2 and NOX (which have high concentrations in spring). Factor analysis (FA) showed that more than 80% of the total variation belongs to two factors, where 19.47% of the variation was due to wind speed and humidity, while other parameters were responsible for 62.90% of the total variation. Cluster analysis (CA) evaluated the similarity and dissimilarity between various elements through identifying four clusters representing the seasons; cluster 1: autumn, cluster 2: winter, cluster 3: spring and cluster 4: summer. This clustering indicates that the four seasons are entirely different. The highest dissimilarity was reported between summer and the other seasons. CA also classified all parameters into five statistically different clusters; cluster 1: PM10, PM (2.5) and CO; cluster 2: SO2, NOX and NO2; cluster 3: humidity; cluster 4: temperature and radiation and cluster 5: wind speed. This study illustrates the benefits of using multivariate techniques for the evaluation and interpretation of the total variation to get a better picture of the pollution sources/factors and understand the behaviors of the parameters in the air.

Abstract. In this study, PM10 values from the air quality monitoring station in Izmir was evaluated. 9 stations could be used in this study, since PM10 data are suitable to evaluate for the years 2020-2019-2018. The 4-season and annual PM10 distribution map for 3 years was prepared using ArcGIS. The benefits of these maps to city managers in the smart city application were expressed. In addition, PM10 data of 9 stations were evaluated according to legal limit values. It was determined that Aliağa and Gaziemir stations exceeded the limit values more than other stations. It has been observed that different sources of air pollution such as industry, traffic and heating affect different districts. When the number of days exceeding the limit value and the number of days without measurement are evaluated together, it is seen that the limit values are exceeded by all stations.

Odor pollution is an important type of pollution that is subject to complaints in terms of quality of life and health. Since the odor perception is a sensorial process that occurs naturally with breathing, it is difficult to avoid when exposed. H2S is one of the main sources of odor pollution and wastewater reservoir, estuarine and polluted river or waterways are among the most suitable areas for H2S formation. The aim of this study is to determine the changes in H2S concentrations on Araç Watercourse. Therefore, in this study, H2S concentrations were determined instantaneously by using portable handheld gas monitors in air samples from the surface of Araç Watercourse at 15 points within the boundaries of Karabük city, and at the same time, pH and temperature values were determined. According to results , there were statistically significant differences in the H2S and pH values between the sampling points (p

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may be a source of nuisance in neighbouring places due to hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) emissions. In this study, samples were collected from WWTP workplace ambient air and outdoor ambient air around one of the largest WWTPs in Istanbul with a capacity of 250,000 m3/day to evaluate the effects of H2S and BTEX emissions. Samples were collected in three seasons for 15-day durations: winter (November 2015), spring (May 2015), and summer (August 2016). Average concentrations of H2S and BTEX were determined as 1.1 and 56.2 µg/m3, respectively. Average concentrations BTEX components were 4.9, 20.7, 6.4, and 24.2 µg/m3, respectively. Health risk assessment for plant workers and local residents was performed for H2S and BTEX inhalation exposure using the method by USEPA. Results show that H2S and BTEX emissions do not have harmful effects on human health.

The aim of this study is to examine levels, temporal changes and interactions of major air pollutants with meteorological variables in Ankara, Turkey. The level of air pollutants namely PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO, NO2, NOX, O3, CO was evaluated monthly, seasonally, and annually during 2019. The statistical relationship between air pollutants and ambient temperature, relative humidity and air pressure was examined and discussed. The pollutants concentrations started to rise in the morning and evening hours (excluding O3) when the traffic was at its peak and was in the highest level between 10:00 -14:00 and 22:00-02:00. It was seen at the lowest values (excluding O3) during daylight hours. A strong positive correlation was reported between PM10 and both PM2.5 and CO. Also, it was positive between NO and CO and NOX. On the other hand, negative correlation was reported between O3 and all other parameters. Moreover, paired comparisons of the selected parameters during the seasons were investigated. A statistically significant difference was found between different paired parameters namely CO/NOX, SO2/NOX and PM2.5/PM10. The results revealed that the changes in the meteorological parameters during the mentioned seasons has a significant impact on the behavior of air pollutant parameters.

Pressure drop and particle collection efficiency are the two operating parameters for assessing the performance of cyclone separators. Although a great number of practical models exists for predicting the cyclone pressure drop in the design phase, models for estimating particle collection efficiency is very limited. In this study, an improved mathematical model for calculating cut diameter in cyclone separators, which is a measure of particle collection efficiency, was developed based on Lapple's formula. Modified Lapple's formula represents the cut diameters with R-2 = 0.9969 and relative mean square error (RMSE) of 2.533*10(-9). Also, a new empirical regression model was proposed (R-2 = 0.9619). The average errors of both models were very close to zero. Performance tests indicated that both models can be used confidently to predict cut diameter in cyclone separators.

The COVID-19 pandemic has become global public health concern and the first death due to COVID-19 in Turkey occurred on 16 March 2020. Therefore, the Turkish governments took some precautions such as curfew, travel restriction, social isolation and shut down the schools and the universities within the scope of the fight of COVID-19. These precautions may cause a decrease in mobility, which in turn expectation to decrease in traffic-related emissions. In this study, the change in the amount of PM 10 and NO 2 pollutants were evaluated by dividing them in two periods before and after the virus in 2016 and 2020. Traffic-induced PM 10 and NO 2 concentrations were monitored at 4 stations located close to road traffic in Istanbul. As a result of the study, it was observed that there was no significant difference in PM 10 concentration, however NO 2 concentrations decreased by 11.8 percent in the after-virus period.

Özet: Atıksu arıtma tesisleri faaliyetleri gereği koku kaynağı olarak bilinir ve genellikle şikayete konu olur.Çünkü koku uzun dönemde ve yüksek yoğunlukta insan davranışlarını