Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of airborne microorganisms and the concentrations of particulate and respirable matter causing from dust storm in the air of ilam city: cross sectional study

Nematullah Kurd,1,* Rohullah maghsodi ,2 Abolhosain poornajaf,3

Abstract

Introduction

Introduction: in recent years, dust storms frequently arrived to have large areas of the western half of iran. dust particles have negative effects on the environment and living animals, especially man leaves. therefore current study done with the aim of evaluation of airborne microorganisms and the concentrations of particulate and respirable matter causing from dust storm.

Methods

This cross - sectional study was done in the ilam city (2012). in order to sampling and reading of tsp amounts used from direct reading devices in concentration range of 1µg/m3-2500 mg/m3. cyclone was used for determination of respirable dusts with diameter less than ten microns. also to determine microbial state of dusts used from the cellulose membrane filters (37 mm diameter). finally, data analyzed with spss software.

Results

Results showed that the highest concentration of total suspended particles (tsp) and respirable particles (pm10) have been recorded in june with the amount of 22.5 and 1.3 mg per cubic meter. comparison of ilam air quality with standard values ( <150 μ g/m3) for respirable particles and total suspended particles showed except in august that tsp concentration was in below of standard value, in other months the concentration of pm10 and total suspended particles above the standard amount.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that particulate concentration levels were higher than of standard values and also contain microorganisms that can threaten human health. therefore, it seems necessary to control them.

Keywords

Storm dust, airborne microorganisms, particulate and respiratory mutters, ilam