Elemental Composition of PM2.5 and PM10 in the Industrial Area of Yopougon, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

This paper describes the evaluation of trace element composition of atmospheric aerosol particles (PM2.5 and PM10) and their influence on air quality in the largest industrial area of Abidjan city, C?te d’Ivoire. Multi-week sampling was conducted in an urban site (industrial area) in Abidjan from April 2018 to July 2019. The mean mass concentration was 48.83 ± 15.24 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 77.34 ± 10.91 μg/m3 for PM10, with significant temporal variability. The average ratio of PM2.5/PM10 was 0.64 ± 0.21. The concentration of BC in PM2.5 and PM10 was respectively 52.32 ± 7.48 μg/m3 and 52.26 ± 12.07 μg/m3. Twenty-two elements: Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr and Pb were analysed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). Elemental composition data were modeled using principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation to determine two (2) and four (4) dominant source categories contributing to PM2.5 and PM10 respectively. In the case of fine particles PM2.5, the possible sources were Industrial activities and non-exhaust emissions, exhaust emissions. The PM10 sources were industrial activities and non-exhaust emissions, industrial processes, mineral dust, and waste combustion.

Measurement of Natural Radioactivity in Lagoon Sands Used in Construction in the District of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Sand is an important natural material for the construction of houses, work buildings and other public spaces. This work, which is one of the first contributions to the environmental quality of construction materials, concerns the measurement of natural radioactivity in the lagoon sands collected in the district of Abidjan. Nineteen (19) samples of these sands are analyzed by gamma-ray spectrometry equipped with HPGe detector. The mean values obtained for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K are respectively 7.76 ± 1.84 Bq·kg-1, 5.21 ± 1.36 Bq·kg-1, and 217.31 ± 5.03 Bq·kg-1. The estimated average value of radium equivalent (Raeq) is 31.94 Bq·kg-1. The results show that the average values obtained are far lower than the global limits of 35, 30, and 400 Bq·kg-1 for the concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively, and 370 Bq·kg-1 for the equivalent radium established by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Therefore, the use of the analyzed lagoon sand samples in the different construction sectors should not cause serious radiological effects on the populations living in the District of Abidjan. Our results provide new data on building materials radioactivity in Côte d’Ivoire and all over the World. They can also be used as a reference for future work.

Interventional Radiology in Côte d’Ivoire: Analysis and Assessment of the Radiological Risk of the Surgical Team

Ionizing radiation is widely used in medical practice for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, they are not devoid of adverse health effects on exposed operators. Therefore, we propose to assess the radiological risk of the interventional radiology team of the International Polyclinic of Indénié of Abidjan during the procedures of Embolization of uterine fibromyomas. The effective and equivalent doses to the extremities and crystals were estimated by TLD dosimeters positioned at different body areas selected on the basis of a radiological analysis of the exposure of personnel during five procedures. The analysis of fluoroscopic and record times showed variability in or an average fluoroscopy time of 32.37 min with extremes of 25.14 to 56.32 min;average record time of 0.52 min with extremes of 0.12 min to 1 min. The annual effective doses were respectively, 4.04 mSv, 3.42 mSv, 2.84 mSv;2.28 mSv, in the Radiologist (R), Operator Assistant (O2);Anesthesiologist (A2), Manipulator (M2). The annual equivalent doses to the radiologist’s predominant extremities and lenses were left index and left lens with values of 37.07 mSv and 9.46 mSv. The estimated doses in our study are reassuring from a regulatory point of view of dose limits. The results of our work have shown no significant short-term danger to the health of personnel.