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International Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Technology

Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved

ISSN 22499695
Original Article
An Analysis of Roadside Dust Fall in Bhilai-3 of Durg District Chhattisgarh,
Central India and its Impact on Human Health
*

Manoj Kumar Ghosh

Department of Applied Chemistry and Environmental Engineering

Parthivi College of Engineering and Management, Sirsakala, Bhilai-3, Chhattisgarh, India
*Email: mkghosh01@yahoo.co.in
Received 30 March 2014; accepted 29 April 2014
Abstract
The present research paper focusing on the analysis of road dust fall and its impact on human health in bhilai-3, durg
district of chhattisgarh. The dust samples were collected from bhilai-3 around 50 square km from Feb 2013 to Jan 2014
during one hydrological year. Lead, zinc, copper, iron and mercury were analyzed by Inductively Coupled PlasmaMass
Spectrometry in roadside dust samples collected from 10 major sampling sites namely sirsakala(s1), somani(s2),
ganyari(s3), karsa(s4), khursipar(s5), jarway(s6), umda(s7), dream city(s8), kukda(s9) and kumhari(s10) of bhilai-3,
chhattisgarh. Results have shown that lead and zinc concentration is high compared to prescribed limits in all receptors. A
monthly collection and analysis of dust fall-out rate between 6.2 to 79.22 metric tones sq km2 month1 were observed at
all sampling sites. Results showed that anthropogenic input and upward trends of industrial growth identified as a main
cause of environmental contamination. The metal concentrations in road dust fall was higher in order Pb>Zn>Cu>Fe>Hg.
Long term exposure of public health greater risk from dust and metals may expedite of the city.
2014 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved
Keywords: - Industrialization; Dust fall; Toxicity; Disease; Concentration; Heavy metals.
which may be found in the local atmosphere [6]. Urban
INTRODUCTION:
Dust are solid particles, ranging in size from below 1m dusts are ominously more heterogeneous than undisturbed
up to at least 100 m, which may be or become airborne, soils and also human activity plays a prevailing role in
depending on their origin, physical characteristics and the changing of these dusts[7] .Urban particulates can be
ambient conditions[1-2]. Fibrous dusts, such as asbestos and emitted directly to the atmosphere through combustion
other such materials, have been shown to present special processes and it is considered that traffic is one of
health problems primarily related to the shape of the the chief sources of particulate contamination[8-9].
particles. In relation to health, particles with diameter < 3 According to numerous studies, the pollution sources of
mm, length > 5 mm and aspect ratio length to width greater heavy metals in environment are mainly derived
than or equal to 3 to 1 are classified as fibres (WHO, 1997). from anthropogenic sources. In urban road dusts, the
Roadside dust arises due to soil structure, traffic source anthropogenic sources of heavy metals include traffic
includes vehicles and road infrastructure, corrosion of emission,
industrial
emission domestic
emission,
galvanized steel crash barriers, etc [3]. It has been weathering of building and pavement surface,
reported that the pollutants such as Pb, Fe, Hg, Ni and Cu atmospheric deposited and so on[10-11]. Moreover, when
due to heavy traffic are at high concentration levels at these particulates are loaded with some ionic species in
the sites close to the roadside and dusts that affect the different forms and inhaled or ingested they impose serious
air environmental quality[4]. More than 80% of the large health hazards.
particles of lead from vehicle emissions deposit close to In India, ambient air quality data for water soluble ions are
the road within 1.5 m when the size is greater than 5 m available for few cities like Agra[12] , Delhi[13]and
[5]
. It is believed that automobiles are not only responsible Raipur[14]. Durg is one of the most polluted cities in India
for metal pollution but also many other elements, today. In year 2000, Chhattisgarh earned the status of a
emitted from similar sources. Particles arise from various separate and sovereign state of India. Soon after, with the
sources such as soil dust lifted up by wind as air pollution. financial aid of central government, the state gained a boom
Dust encompasses minor amounts of many materials in development in all sectors and currently has the status of

54

International Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Technology 2014; 4(2): 54-60

fastest growing state in the country. The rapid

industrialization in Chhattisgarh is due to the availability of
ores and mineral resources in abundant including coal,
limestone, granite, iron ore, bauxite, etc. Besides these, the
alarming vehicular and population growth rate, frequent
traffic jams and overall a poor infrastructure has led to a
significant rise in the dust level [15] bhilai-3 of durg district.
The main objective of the present work is to analysis of
road dust fall and heavy metals in different locations of
bhilai-3 of durg district chhattisgarh, central India its
impact on human health.
Study Area:
ArcGIS (version 9.0) software has been used for the
present study to locate the current study area. Bhilai-3
of durg district is situated on the central of large fertile
plain of Chhattisgarh. It is situated between 21.210 N
Latitude and 81.38 E Longititude, the eastern part of
Chhattisgarh state was selected for the proposed studies
due to the largest transport system ( 0.1 million
vehicles) . The city is located 27 kilometers west of
the capital Raipur, on the main HowrahMumbai rail
line, and National highway 6. Site was selected for the
collection of the roadside dust samples. The study area of
the proposed work is shown in the Figure 1.

Soil samples were collected after removing surface soils up

to 5cm (to avoid plant and animal organic, inorganic and
microbial contamination on the surface soil) depth and sent
to laboratory. Soil has been smashed in a milling machine
and blown in a closed glass chamber. The dust collecting
jars has been placed in the chamber and collected dust
during dispersion of soil dusts in the chamber[18]. Black
smoky dust emitted and deposited in automobile exhaust
silencers of diesel fuel based heavy duty trucks and petrol
based cars have been collected and scum were mixed
together for development of chemical profile of automobile
source (S-3). Frequency of sampling was 10 in one month,
at each source-receptor site throughout the sampling period.
EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
The sample of each sites have been collected once in a
month, which is installed in a plane particulate sample at
each distilled water was placed in each of the collectors to
prevent sample loss by blowing air, then the collectors were
placed in the position in guard-frame at 10 to 15 feet above
the ground level. The Jar was inspected every day, week
and was replaced by fresh collection jar a duration of 30
days. The pre and post monsoon month measurement were
made of dust fall rate in a hydrological period.
The dust fall rate were calculated for each sites using the
following equations[19,24] (kikuo,1977).

R 1: 273[

W 2 30 4
] [ ]10
D N

Where R= Dust fall rate(mt km-2 month-1), W= the total

weight of dust fall in collecting container (gm), D= The
diameter of the dust collecting container(cm) and N= the
Number of days of collection of sample. A dust Collector
hanged 15th feet height above the earth crust shown in
figure 2(i), effect on roadside plants shown in figure 2(ii)
and effect on roadside house shown in figure 2(iii). A 2.0
gm of dust sample (< 0.5 mm) was extracted with deionized hot water (50 ml) and filtrate was analyzed by the
ion selective electrode and ion chromatography. Analysis
of month-wise variation of concentration of total dust fall
(mt km-2 month-1) in different site of bhilai-3 of durg
district in chhattisgarh are shown in table-I.

Fig.1: Study areas of Bhilai-3 of Durg District in

Chhattisgarh, India
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Sampling Method
Dust emission sources were identified using layout map,
anthropogenic activity patterns and urban-industrial
development plan of the study area. Dust collection jars
with standard specifications [16-17] has been placed for a
month at a height of 15 ft (outdoor) and 10 ft (indoorhouse), at both source and receptor sites. Sampling at localoutdoor (15 ft height) has been chosen for measurement at
construction activity site. As far as soil chemical profile
(S-7) is concern, samples of soils (1 kg) have been
collected from open land of dream city residential colony.

55

Fig.2(i) A dust collector hanged Fig.2(ii) Dust fall on

roadside plant Fig.2(iii)Dust fall on house 15th feet height .
Determination of Heavy Metals
The five types of heavy metals Pb, Fe, Hg, Ni and Cu were
analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. One
gram of each sample dried and placed in a 25 ml
volumetric flask used exclusively for digestion and boiled
gently with 10 ml of 5M HCl for 1 hour on a sand bath[20].
After cooling, the extract was filtered with whatman filter
paper no.41 and to increase the final volume upto 50 ml in
a flask. Hg concentration in the extract solution

International Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Technology 2014; 4(2): 54-60

Table-I: Month-wise variation concentration of total dust fall (mt sq km-2 month-1) in different site during the period of
Feb 2013 to Jan 2014
Months

S1

S2

S3

S4

S5

S6

S7

S8

S9

S10

Feb 13

0.8187

0.7931

0.6621

0.7012

0.9213

0.6931

0.7987

0.7712

0.8213

0.9413

March 13

0.6912

0.5912

0.6012

0.6213

0.7123

0.5512

0.6412

0.7213

0.6723

0.8323

April 13

0.9223

0.8723

0.7422

0.8761

0.7153

0.7723

0.8223

0.7761

0.6853

0.8253

May 13

0.9376

0.8512

0.7214

0.8123

0.8763

0.8312

0.8376

0.7123

0.7863

0.8063

June 13

0.9665

0.9021

0.7318

0.8231

0.8976

0.9521

0.8665

0.6231

0.8476

0.8376

July 13

0.7374

0.6733

0.5512

0.7542

0.7999

0.7733

0.6374

0.6542

0.7099

0.7899

Aug 13

0.7576

0.6431

0.7128

0.8105

0.6123

0.7431

0.6576

0.7105

0.6723

0.6823

Sept 13

0.6987

0.6534

0.4621

0.7512

0.6213

0.6834

0.7987

0.6512

0.6130

0.6513

Oct 13

0.6912

0.6816

0.4812

0.7213

0.6023

0.6416

0.5912

0.5213

0.6423

0.7123

Nov 13

0.7023

0.5527

0.5422

0.5761

0.6653

0.6927

0.6723

0.6761

0.6653

0.7253

Dec 13

0.7176

0.5710

0.4914

0.6123

0.6763

0.5710

0.6576

0.6823

0.6863

0.6363

Jan14

0.7265

0.5213

0.5018

0.7231

0.7976

0.5813

0.6965

0.7031

0.7676

0.7572

Table-II Concentrations of heavy metals of roadside dust fall of Bhilai-3(mg/kg)

Sites/Elements
Pb
Fe
Cu
Zn
Hg
1810
2.30
221.1
610.72
2.10
S1
150
1.23
98.4
390.34
0.30
S2
431
0.98
176.4
365.17
0.95
S3
671
0.73
223
456.32
1.06
S4
795
2.05
174.3
513.43
1.09
S5
314
1.62
78.65
639.71
1.10
S6
1534
2.67
262.5
810.29
3.10
S7
764
2.04
134.6
712.82
1.70
S8
1243
1.36
101.6
431.09
2.54
S9
597
1.97
205.3
598.21
2.83
S10
Average
830.90
1.695
157.53
533.79
1.677
were determined by Inductively Coupled PlasmaMass
Spectrometry.[20] (PerkinElmer).

Fig. 3 Schematic diagram of human respiratory tract

was detected by a cold vapor atomic absorption
spectrophotometer with a sulfuric acid and tin chloride
solution. For lead 1.0 g of the sieved sample was placed in
250 ml beaker and boiled at 225C with 15 ml of nitric acid
and 25 ml of perchloric acid. After completely turned to
ash, the digested solution was filtered and made the volume
up to 50 ml in a volumetric flask. The metal concentrations

56

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The total annual roadside dust fall in different site of bhilai3 has been calculated on the basis of month wise
measurements during Feb.2013Jan. 2014. All the sites
have shown thousand times higher annual dust fall than to
prescribed standard of 0.01mt km2month1(Ferrari et.al,
2000). The monthly dust fall rate were found to be in the
range 0.46210.9665 mt km2 month1 for all ten source
sites during the past twelve month of sampling period. The
lowest rate of dust fall in source sites was found at
jarway (S6) and the highest at khursipar (S5) kumhari area
(S10).The average lowest roadside dust fall in the month of
Oct 2013 and highest in the month of june2013. Table-1
shown that in indoor house has shown highest dust fall in
summer and the lowest winter season. On the basis of
month wise dust fall rate, the highest average total ux was
observed to be measured with an amount of 8.448 mt
km2yr1.The values of average annual ux in the month of
Feb13, March 13,April13, May13, June13,July13, Aug13,

International Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Technology 2014; 4(2): 54-60

Sept13, Oct13, Nove13, Dec13 and Jan14 were 7.922,

6.6355, 8.0095, 8.1725, 8.448, 7.0807, 7.0021, 6.5843,
6.2863, 6.4703, 6.3021 and 6.776 mt km2yr 1,
respectively. Figure 5a shown that the dust fall was
maximum in the month of april13 in the site S 1toS4and S6S7, in the month of feb13 only one site S5 was more dust fall
than march month. Figure 5b shows the dust fall was
maximum in the month of june13 in the site S1toS3, S6-S7
and S9-S10, in the month of July13 was less than May13.
Figure 5c shows that the dust fall was maximum in the
month of Aug13 in the site S1,S3, S4 in the month of Sept13
only one site S7 was more , in the month of Oct13 was less
than Sept13 . Figure 5d shows the dust fall was maximum
in the month of june14 in the site S 4toS5, S9-S10 and Nov13
is very very less than Dec13.
Impact on Human Health
The road side dust fall in bhilai3 increases the air pollutants
cause respiratory disease symptoms of asthma and other
chronic lung diseases as shown in figure 3. On the basis of
survey several peoples are suffering from the different
diseases like skin irritation, pneumoconioses, silicosis,
heart disease, systemic poisoning, extrinsic allergic
alveolitis and throat infection.
Heavy Metals in the Roadside Dust:
The concentrations of five heavy metals Pb, Zn,Cu, Fe and
Hg measured in the roadside dust samples from the

57

specified sites of bhilai-3, durg district are presented in

table-II. The results obtained for each element are
discussed. The total concentrations of lead, zinc, copper,
iron and mercury in this road dust much exceeded the
concern level of soil contamination in bhilai-3. In
particular, the concentrations of Hg and Fe in the road dust
which has less. The arithmetic means of Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe and
Hg are 830.90, 1.695, 157.53, 533.79 and 1.677 mg/kg,
respectively shown in fig.10. This indicates the variation of
concentrations in dust fall. It is evident[21-22] that the
automobile exhaust emission, soil structure and vehicle tire
wear contributed significantly to the heavy metals
accumulation in the road dust particles. The gasoline in
bhilai-3 contains lead as tetraethyl lead used as antiknocking material and is emitted from automobile exhausts
along-with other contaminants. Fig.5 shown the
concentration of lead present in the different sites similarly
fig.6 explain the concentration of iron, fig.7 explain the
concentration of copper present in the sites fig.8 explain the
concentration of zinc and fig.9 explain the concentration of
mercury present in the different sites. Environmental
contamination negatively impacted on environmental
matrix and human health which was observed through
different exposure pathways due to long term
pollution trends. The children, aged peoples and pregnant
women have been identified as a most vulnerable group

International Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Technology 2014; 4(2): 54-60

Fig. 5 Concentration of Lead (mg/kg) of different samples

Fig. 6 Concentration of Iron (mg/kg) of different samples

Fig.8 Concentration of Zinc (mg/kg) of different samples

Fig.9 Concentration of Mercury (mg/kg) of different

samples

Fig.7 Concentration of Copper(mg/kg) of different samples

Fig.10 Average concentration of heavy metals (mg/kg) of

different samples

who are living near to the busy roads[23].The investigated

metals were considered as carcinogen which may occur
human health hazards. The atmospheric pollution develop
in this areas due to lead and zinc metals toxic effect on
water, soil, animals as well as on plants.
Lead Toxicity: Lead concentrations were found in the
range of 150 to 1810.00 mg/kg according to the results
from the 10 sampling sites. The average concentration of
lead was found to be 810.30 mg/kg in the dust samples
across the road section shown in fig.5. Results revealed that
the average concentration of lead in the roadside dust fall is
higher(S1) than that of the lead concentration in the control

site (S2) (150.0 mg/kg). These values indicate that leaded

fuel could be the potential source of lead contamination in
the dust samples. The low wind speed might also be the
cause of highest metal accumulation at this study site. The
medicinal plants, species and leafy vegetables grown in the
contaminated soil were found to be loaded with lead
beyond permissible limit. The humans and other animals in
this sites are suffering from plumbism, colica pictorum,
saturnism, painters colic and other vertebrates caused by
increased levels in the body toxic to many organs and
tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidney and
nervous systems[29].

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International Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Technology 2014; 4(2): 54-60

Iron Toxicity: Iron concentrations were found in the range

of 0.73 to 2.67 mg/kg according to the results from the 10
sampling sites. The average concentration of iron was
found to be 1.695 mg/kg in the dust samples across the road
section shown in fig.6. Results revealed that the average
concentration of iron in the roadside dust fall is higher (S7)
than that of the control site (S4). These values indicate that
iron oxide present in the soil/ air is the potential source of
iron contamination in the dust samples. Large amounts of
free iron in the circulation will cause damage to critical
cells in the liver, the heart and other metabolically active
organs[28].
Copper Toxicity: Copper distribution in the sample sites
ranged from 78.65 to 810.28 mg/kg with an average of
157.53 mg/kg shown in fig.7 for the same. The level of Cu
in the control site was found to be 78.65 mg/kg. This
indicates that the average copper value in this study is
higher (S7) than that of the Cu value in the control site (S6).
Some peoples are suffering from liver problem,
gastrointestinal effects characterized by abdominal pain,
cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting etc in this region.
Zinc Toxicity: Zinc was present in the sample sites ranged
from 365.17 to 810.28 mg/kg with an average of 533.79
mg/kg shown in fig.8 for the same. The free zinc ion in
water is highly toxic to bacteria, plants, invertebrates, and
even vertebrate fish [25-27]. This indicates that the average
copper value in this study is higher (S7) than that of the Zn
value in the control site (S3). Most of these reports are
generally old and poorly documented, with inadequate
characterization of the actual exposure doses in spite of the
fact that some estimates of exposure include anaemia,
leukopenia, and neutropenia.
Mercury Toxicity: Distribution of mercury along the
sampling sites ranged from 0.30 to 3.10 mg/kg with an
average of 1.677 mg/kg shown in fig.9 for the same. The
level of Hg in the control site was found to be 0.30 mg/kg.
This indicates that the average mercury value in this study
is higher (S7) than that of the Hg value in the control site
(S2). The relatively higher concentrations of Hg in the study
sites may be attributed to the pollution originating from
traffic, bhilai steel plant and anthropogenic activities. It is
reported that several kinds of gasoline contain Hg and the
combustion of gasoline brings Hg pollution. Toxicological
eects of elemental Hg exposure include respiratory and
renal failures, cardiac arrest, and cerebral oedema, while
subclinical exposure may induce kidney, behavioral, and
cognitive dysfunctions.
CONCLUSIONS:
The present study focusing on the concentration of roadside
dust fall and heavy metals like Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn and Hg are
found in the sample bhilai-3 of durg district chhattisgarh.
The concentration of lead and zinc are more than the
permissible limit. The lowest rate of dust fall in source sites
was found at jarway (S6) and the highest at khursipar (S5)
and kumhari (S10). The average lowest roadside dust fall in
the month of oct. 2013 and highest in the month of june
2013. Dust particles are deposited in a human body, plants,
surface water and soil, they have to potential causes to
harm either locally or subsequently elsewhere in
environment. Several peoples of this area are suffering

59

from dust and heavy metals born diseases mainly asthma

and chronic lung diseases. Preventative measures must be
require to reduce the road dust by legal issues, mechanical
and electronic devices, such as electrostatic precipitators,
bag house, particulate scrubber or with water sprayers,
plantation and close the mouth from cotton scarf by the
peoples living in this areas.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
The authors are thankful to management Parthivi College
of engineering and management, bhilai for providing
laboratory facilities and Thakare Consultancy Services Pvt.
Ltd., Raipur for the analysis of heavy metals. We wish to
thank reviewers for the critical and useful comments
that refined the manuscript. Lastly author wishes to
thankful Dr. Sanjay Ghosh, of Govt. N. P.G. College of
Science, Raipur and Smt. Mira Ghosh to give the valuable
suggestions.
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Source of support: Nil; Conflict of interest: None declared

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International Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Technology 2014; 4(2): 54-60