د. قاسم كاظم محمد الأسدي

There are many sources of air pollution as a result of urbanization, industrial, and population growth in the Najaf city, Iraq. This study included estimating the concentrations of some trace elements such as Pb, Mn, Ti, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, Fe, Ag and Hg and Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of oxygen (O2) with simultaneous measurements of weather conditions with the time of sampling during December 2012 in 20 sites in the city of Najaf. As well as, the hydrocarbons (VOCs) are measured. All the concentration values are higher than the recommended limit of VOCs, except three sites. The Lower Explosive Limit of O2 is ranged (ND-8.3%) in 22 sites. A trace element concentration varies according to the following order: traffic > industrial > commercial > housing. The Pb concentration is less than the National Air Quality Standards of the US. Cu concentrations are below the level of detection, whereas Cd concentration value was found to be within recommended limit. Keywords: Oxygen (O2); trace elements; Najaf city air; air pollution, hydrocarbons.

Abstract: In the present study, the authors attempted to shed a light on the possible relationships between lipid per oxidation markers, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) with the effect of mercury exposure using serum samples obtained from 100 mercury exposed dentals due to their occupation. These dentals were divided into two groups according to their occupational period. The third group consists of healthy volunteers that were working outside the mercury factories as a control group. The present results showed that mercury levels increased with the increasing of their occupation period. The highest level was 5.7 μg/dL compared to the control group which was 0.1 μg/dL. The level of MDA was elevated in the workers and the highest level was found to be 41.00 nmol/dL for workers with longest period compared to the control group 8.6 nmol/dL. Some serum antioxidants such as vitamin A, E and albumin were evaluated and were found to be lower in all workers compared to the control group. The present results showed that Mg levels increased with the increasing of their occupation period and were found to be lower in Zn, Se of all workers compared to the control group.