Abstract—This study embarks on monitoring the air pollution affecting Al-Hashimyeh town in Zarqa governorate by sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) compared to the limits of the surrounding air as defined by Jordanian standards. Two sites in the area have been chosen with a view to making appropriate commendations to improve the air quality there on the one hand, and to considering both the environmental and economic aspects in the course of enduring socio-economic development on the other. The two selected sites have experienced a level of H2S that exceeds the limits allowed by Jordanian standards, whereas no excess found in SO2 there. The study submits a set of recommendations to achieve this goal; they include the construction of a sulfur elimination unit from the heavy fuel at the Jordanian Petroleum Refinery, the substitution of the heavy fuel, which contains high content sulfur, at Al Hussein Thermal Power Plant by natural gas which is environmentally clean compared to heavy fuel, and for the installation of SO2 elimination units emanating from smokestacks.

Index Terms—Air pollution, concentration, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, Jordanian standards, wind speed, wind direction.

Bassam Al-Helou is with the Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Zarqa, Zarqa, Jordan (e-mail: heloub@hotmail.com).

[PDF]

Cite: Bassam A. Al-Helou, "Air Pollutant Effects on the Environment of the Al-Hashimyeh Town," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 240-245, 2012.