The city of Nablus is considered as one of the largest cities in the West Bank, Palestine. The topography of the city, combined with multiple sources of air pollution creates a potential air quality problem that might affect the human health. Preliminary measurements of indoor and outdoor air quality using an optical particle counter showed elevated concentrations of particulate matters. Studies in the United States, Brazil, and Germany have related higher levels of particulates to increased risk of respiratory, cardiovascular, and cancer-related deaths, as well as pneumonia, lung function loss, hospital admissions, and asthma. Some investigations have pointed toward particle sizes smaller than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) as a major contributor to elevated death rates in polluted cities. This research aims at investigating the presence of air quality problems, especially elevated concentrations of PM2.5 in the city of Nablus, Palestine, and to link these pollutants to potential sources. This research will help to understand the nature of air pollutants and their main sources in the city of Nablus, in order to provide decision makers with knowledge to choose proper regulatory decisions that can help to alleviate the problem. Implementing these decisions can enhance the health situation and hence improve the socio-economic conditions of the people living in the city of Nablus

Conference Title

The Sixth Jordanian International Civil Engineering Conference

Conference Country

Jordan

Conference Date

March 10, 2015 - March 12, 2015

Conference Sponsor

Jordan Association of Engineers