Urban Exotic Pollution: The Harmful Environmental Footprint for Health and Historical Architecture

Cristina Postolachi, Alexandru Cocean, Silvia Garofalide, Bogdanel Silvestru Munteanu, Georgiana Cocean, Nicanor Cimpoesu, Vasile Pelin (), Iuliana Cocean () and Silviu Gurlui ()
Additional contact information
Cristina Postolachi: Atmosphere Optics, Spectroscopy and Laser Laboratory (LOASL), Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Bld., 700506 Iasi, Romania
Alexandru Cocean: Atmosphere Optics, Spectroscopy and Laser Laboratory (LOASL), Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Bld., 700506 Iasi, Romania
Silvia Garofalide: Atmosphere Optics, Spectroscopy and Laser Laboratory (LOASL), Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Bld., 700506 Iasi, Romania
Bogdanel Silvestru Munteanu: Atmosphere Optics, Spectroscopy and Laser Laboratory (LOASL), Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Bld., 700506 Iasi, Romania
Georgiana Cocean: Atmosphere Optics, Spectroscopy and Laser Laboratory (LOASL), Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Bld., 700506 Iasi, Romania
Nicanor Cimpoesu: Atmosphere Optics, Spectroscopy and Laser Laboratory (LOASL), Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Bld., 700506 Iasi, Romania
Vasile Pelin: Atmosphere Optics, Spectroscopy and Laser Laboratory (LOASL), Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Bld., 700506 Iasi, Romania
Iuliana Cocean: Atmosphere Optics, Spectroscopy and Laser Laboratory (LOASL), Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Bld., 700506 Iasi, Romania
Silviu Gurlui: Atmosphere Optics, Spectroscopy and Laser Laboratory (LOASL), Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Bld., 700506 Iasi, Romania

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 6, 1-16

Abstract: The study in this paper was carried out as a result of the observation of pollution phenomena and foaming effects associated with anthropogenic activities, including street cleaning activity. The processes of dust binding used in order to reduce PM10 and PM 2.5 pollution has been proven to be inefficient, and even contributing to pollution with particulate matter. Our results suggest that the use of dust binders must be integrated in a technique that includes methods of removing agglomerated particle structures resulting from the process of coagulation or flocculation. These are the conclusions of the investigations carried out by spectroscopic methods (FTIR, SEM-EDX) on samples collected from the streets of Iasi on 10 March 2021, and on samples collected from the surface of the Precinct Wall of the historical monument Golia—Iasi Monastery Ensemble (Romania). On the later samples, coloristic analysis was also performed. The alert for investigation was given by the foaming waters that were leaking on the streets. The phenomenon was observed after the streets had been washed by specialized vehicles. Analyses revealed compounds used as dust binders and coagulant type (aluminum sulfate, sodium aluminate and their derivatives, plus anti-skid chemicals such as calcium chlorine and magnesium chlorine), as well as organic compounds included in aggregate type structures, and they showed contamination of the Golia Precinct Wall. The results show that the dust binders or coagulants used as such, or embedded in various products intended for the cleaning process of streets or other outdoor public places, must be subject to regulation. Otherwise, there is a risk of adding more pollutants during an operation with the opposite purpose. The migration of these pollutants on the studied building offers an image on how both our health and all constructions and equipment exposed in the open air are affected.

Keywords: dust binders; aluminate; anti-skid; coagulants/flocculants; cleaning induced water contamination process (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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