Comparing the levels of pollution air particles, CO2 and SO2 of Badoosh and Al-Rafedain cement plants (Old Badoosh cement plant)/ Iraq

Abstract

In this research, the level of the suspended dust (PM10, PM2.5, PM 1), CO_2, and SO₂ was standardized in five selected locations in both Badoosh cement factory (the expansion) that uses the dry technique in the production and Al-Rafedain cement plant which uses the wet technique in production and the study involved the locations of (the admin, the crusher, the molars, packaging the cement and the furnaces). The standardization process was conducted during the period from August until December 2022. It was evident that the levels of the concentrations that were measured for the suspended particles, CO₂ and SO₂ were acceptable in the admin unit and were within the European and the Iraqi standards in both plants.

Results showed that there is an increase in the concentration of the suspended particles and CO₂ in the molars unit and  the values exceeded the standards with percentages of 87%ppm10 and 2% ppm2.5) respectively in Al-Rafedain cement plant and they were (70%ppm10 and

60%ppm2.5) in Badoosh expansion plant. The highest concentration of the suspended particles was in Al-Rafedain cement plant for PM1, PM 2.5 and PM10 with averages of (253.28, 322.0 and 370.44Microgram/m³) respectively. From the other hand, the highest concentration of SO₂ was in Badoosh expansion plant (1.0250 ppm) with an increase of (0.02 ppm) more than the European standards. As for CO₂, it the concentrations were within the international standards. Also. Results showed that there is a high increase in the concentration of the suspended particles (PM10, PM2.5 and PM10) and SO₂ in the crusher, cement packaging and furnaces units. The highest concentration was in Badoosh expansion plant as it was observed that these concentrations exceeds the limits and they are unhealthy and dangerous compared with the European standards. In general, the study concluded that there is a significant difference at the level of significance (p ≤ 0.05) in the level of the pollutants measured, between the Baddosh expansion plant and Al-Rafedain cement plant. Badoosh plant was characterized with more emissions of pollutants inside the selected locations compared to Al-Rafedain cement plant.