| This study addressed the environmental pollution in all the environmental elements (water, soil and air) in the largest city and the capital of Iraq (Baghdad). Twenty samples from Tigris River were collected within the borders of Baghdad and analyzed for elemental concentrations and lability. Results showed that Tigris River in Baghdad is not highly polluted with regards to the heavy metals, but, most of the metals are found in the labile fractions. Selected potentially toxic elements PTEs (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) in thirty eight agricultural land and playground soils were assessed for total concentration and for their potential risk to human (adults and children) using two surrogate biological fluids (SBFs) (Macrophage vacuole (MS), and gastric (GS) solutions). Results showed that the exposure to PTEs from Baghdad soils possess non cancer risk to both children and adults.;24-hour atmospheric PM2.5 integrated samples collected based on 1-in-6 sampling protocol were analyzed for the major chemical components, and biological activities (ROS production and gene expression). Results showed that PM2.5 was higher than the WHO recommended value which dominated by carbonaceous aerosols, crustal materials and sulfate. Chemical mass balance (CMB) model showed that the major sources of PM2.5 are gasoline and diesel, and that attributed to the extensive use of the electricity generators powered by gasoline and diesel due to lack of power. The water soluble reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced from the PM2.5 showed moderate correlation with the water soluble organic carbon from biomass burning (WSOC-BB); while total ROS production had good correlation with Levoglucosan, crustal materials, and some elements (such as V and Ni); these chemical species showed implication in the expression of Ccl2, Ccl4, Ccl7, Cxcl1, Il1b, Il16, and Tnf gene. Nqo1 and Hmox1 genes were associated with organic compounds when they correlate with metals (e.g. Pb). |
