A Comparison between Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Indoor and Outdoor Dust in Haditha City, Western Iraq

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the levels of selected heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and zinc) in indoor and outdoor dust and to make a comparison among them at 50 different locations in Haditha city, Al-anbar Governorate, from October to November, 2021. Dust samples from the indoor and outdoor in different locations (homes, schools, mosques and offices) were collected using a brush and a plastic hand shovel .The concentrations of the heavy metals selected in the indoor samples of dust were dominated by Zn with a concentration of 130.95 ± 123mg kg -1 followed by Pb > Cr > Cu and Cd with concentration of 91.83 ± 32, 50.65 ± 7.34, 26.64 ± 10.09 and 8.17 ± 0.98 mg kg -1, respectively. While the order of heavy metals in outdoor was Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu and Cd. The ratios of indoor and outdoor concentrations generally varied significantly from one place to another and from one metal to another. The originality of the metals can be explained through their concentrations ratios. The results showed that soil, street dust and house building have a prominent role in the concentration formed in the indoor and outdoor dust that is resulted most likely from the emissions of automobiles.