ASSESSING OF WATER QUALITY POLLUTION INDICES FOR HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION. A STUDY CASE FROM MEDIAS CITY GROUNDWATERS

Three documented methods: Contamination index (Cd), the Heavy metal potential index (HPI) and the Heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) were evaluated for their suitability for contamination monitoring of underground water (water wells) from Medias. In addition, ions and physico-chemical analysis were elaborated. Results show that the concentrations of heavy metals found in the wells from Medias are below the permissible levels of drinking water quality standards. The data have been used for the calculation of Cd, HPI and HEI. All seven samples were classified as low using the Cd, HPI and HEI, whereas nitrogen compounds (nitrate, nitrite and ammonia) exceed the maximum admissible concentration, salinity as well (0.7‰ for F2, F3, F4, F5 and F7, while the MAC is established at 0.1‰, EPA). As a short conclusion, water samples do not present heavy metal pollution, furthermore there is an organic pollution, regarding nitrogen compounds and salinity

Indoor air pollution, physical and comfort parameters related to schoolchildren's health:Data from the European SINPHONIE study

Substantial knowledge is available on the association of the indoor school environment and its effect among schoolchildren. In the same context, the SINPHONIE (School indoor pollution and health: Observatory network in Europe) conducted a study to collect data and determine the distribution of several indoor air pollutants (IAPs), physical and thermal parameters and their association with eye, skin, upper-, lower respiratory and systemic disorder symptoms during the previous three months. Finally, data from 115 schools in 54 European cities from 23 countries was collected and included 5175 schoolchildren using a harmonized and standardized protocol. The association between exposures and the health outcomes were examined using logistic regression models on individual indoor air pollutants (IAPs); a VOC (volatile organic compound) score defined as the sum of the number of pollutants to which the children were highly exposed (concentration > median of the distribution) in classroom was also introduced to evaluate the multiexposure \u2013 outcome association, while adjusting for several confounding factors. Schoolchildren exposed to above or equal median concentration of PM2.5, benzene, limonene, ozone and radon were at significantly higher odds of suffering from upper, lower airways, eye and systemic disorders. Increased odds were also observed for any symptom (sick school syndrome) among schoolchildren exposed to concentrations of limonene and ozone above median values. Furthermore, the risks for upper and lower airways and systemic disorders significantly increased with the VOCs score. Results also showed that increased ventilation rate was significantly associated with decreased odds of suffering from eye, skin disorders whereas similar association was observed between temperature and upper airways symptoms. The present study provides evidence that exposure to IAPs in schools is associated with allergic and respiratory symptoms in children. Further investigations are needed to confirm our findings