An-Najah Staff

The effect of charcoal production in Ya’bad area was studied by evaluation of gasses emitted from the process of carbonization. The study was carried out over 14-month period (May 1998 - August 1999). An ELE 8000/EMS 1417 Environmental Data Logger was used to measure the concentrations of CO, CO2, NO2, SO2 and HZS in three different locations.; These locations are: site A located at about 180 meter to the north east of the kilns, site B about 70 meter forward to the smoke comes out of the kilns in Ya’bad and site C in the site of the kilns. Other physical factors; wind speed, wind direction, temperature and relative humidity were measured by the Logger. The effect of gas production on respiratory symptoms on Ya’bad inhabitants was studied by a 14 questions questionnaire. Primary school children from the fifth grades living in four communities (supposed to be polluted).and in three communities (low polluted) answered the questionnaire. Our study has demonstrated that the concentrations of the gases measured were inversely correlated with distance from charcoal kilns, with the highest levels being encountered in site C (CO average concentration was I0O.S7ppm, NO2 11.7 ppm and SO2 1.75 ppm). In site A gases levels were very low (CO average concentration was 0.19ppm, NO2 0.29 ppm, SO2 O.26ppm, CO2 1.6%, and HZS 0.36ppm). In site B, the levels of gases were also lower than that of site C (CO average concentration was 37.9ppm, NO2 14.9 ppm, SO2 14.7 ppm, CO2 1.98%, and HZS 12.2 ppm). In sites C and B the gases levels exceeded the maximum standards limits and in site A the levels did not exceed the standards. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and F-tests (p< 0.05) showed significant difference in gases levels in the three locations. Our study showed also a considerable effect of charcoal production was significant (using ANOVA and t-tests) between school children close to the kilns and schoolchildren far from the kilns. Moreover, there was significant difference in respiratory symptoms between male and female students in schools closer to the kilns.