Abstract
Air pollution is a global public health concern due to its harmful health effects. However, there is scarce data on concentrations and sources of inorganic gaseous pollutants (NO(2), CO, and SO(2)) and particulate matter (PM(2.5) and PM(10)) in Ethiopia, particularly Hawassa City. Thus, the goal of this research is to determine the indoor and outdoor concentrations of PM(2.5), PM(10), NO(2), CO, and SO(2) in urban and industrial areas of Hawassa City, Ethiopia, and to evaluate potential health concerns. A portable gas monitor device (HoldPeak Laser PM meter, HP 5800D) was used to measure the levels of PM(10) and PM(2.5). The Aeroqual Series 500 Portable Air Quality Monitor (Aeroqual Ltd., New Zealand) was used to measure the concentrations of NO(2), CO, and SO(2). The results of this study showed that the average concentrations of PM(2.5), PM(10), and NO(2) ranged from 8.8 to 310.7, 20.1-515.8, and 40.0-123.7 μg/m(3), respectively, during the dry season. In the wet season, the ranges for PM(2.5), PM(10), NO(2), and CO levels were 17.2-117.4, 24.3-167.2, 31.8-111.3, and 77-33312 μg/m(3), respectively. The wide range of variations in the concentrations of PM(2.5), PM(10), NO(2) and CO variations may be related to spatial and temporal factors such as sampling locations and seasonal changes. In both the wet and dry seasons, the hazard quotient (HQ) for PM(2.5) and PM(10) was greater than one, suggesting a non-carcinogenic effect. The PM(2.5) excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) ranged from 0.1 to 0.7, which is greater than the recommended values by the WHO (ranging from 1 × 10(-5) to 1 × 10(-6)) and the USEPA (less than 1 × 10(-6)). The HQ and ELCR values imply a considerable health risk for the general population.