This work aims to conduct and identify level of ambient and indoor air quality pollutants targeted to the 3^rd industrial area of Dammam, KSA. This study and analysis help us to understand human working atmosphere in the industrial area. We have targeted critical and non-critical parameters to provide safe and conducive work atmosphere. Various environmental regulatory agencies ensure compliance of standard. Air pollution is an important public health problem in developed and developing nations (Issever et al., 2005). Worldwide, there are more than 2.7 million deaths due to air pollution (Nguyen & Kim, 2006a, 2006b). Sources of air pollution include road traffic emissions, industrial emissions and domestic heating, or secondary formation pollutants (Marc-Andre et al., 2007; Kassomenos et al., 2006; Ogrin, 2007, Potoglou & Kanaroglou, 2005) and (Charles et al., 2005). Common air pollutants that draw intense concerns include particulate matter (PM), ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (Muir et al., 2006).

PM is a mixture of constituents that are formed by a large range of mechanisms associated with both natural and anthropogenic origins (Guerra et al., 1995). Exposure to high concentrations of PM increases the risk of lung cancer, respiratory diseases, arteriosclerosis, as well as changes in heart rate variability (Alves et al., 2000). In addition, aerosol particles have an impact on the environment in areas such as visibility and staining of buildings (de Kok et al., 2006; Sun et al., 2004; Virtanen et al., 2006).

CO is a flammable and poisonous gas emitted from incomplete combustion of carbonaceous material. Once absorbed, CO diffuses to plasma, passes across the red blood cell membrane, and finally enters the red blood cell cytoplasm where it binds to hemoglobin (Hb) forming carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). The affinity of Hb for CO is 210 - 300 times greater than for oxygen, and Hb is thus incapable of combining with oxygen (Fang et al., 2006; Menut, 2003).

NO₂ is released into the atmosphere from natural and man-made sources (e.g., burning of fossil fuels, construction, and mining). It is considered one of the main traffic-related air pollutants. A great number of studies have assessed the air pollution effects of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) on human health. For instance, a cohort study reported significant increases in cardiopulmonary mortality for those living near major road areas in the Netherlands (Bono et al., 2007). NO_x together with VOCs are responsible for the formation of photochemical smog and ground-level O₃ in the presence of sunlight (Muir et al., 2006).

SO₂ is emitted into the atmosphere mainly from anthropogenic sources such as the combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, and natural gas). Peak levels of SO₂ in the air can cause temporary breathing difficulty for people with asthma who are active outdoors. Longer-term exposures to high levels of SO₂ and particles cause respiratory illness and aggravate existing heart disease. SO₂ and NO_x in the atmosphere are the major contributors to acidification. Acid rain damages forests and crops, changes the makeup of soil, and makes lakes and streams acidic and unsuitable for fish. VOCs are those organic compounds that have boiling points roughly in the range of 50˚C - 250˚C (Shaw et al., 2005). Outdoors VOC concentrations are affected by season and temperature, proximity to emission sources such as industry, traffic and gas stations (Jia et al., 2008; Kwon et al., 2006; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, 2010). Indoors VOCs concentrations are affected by outdoor levels due to the exchange of indoor and outdoor air, and by the numerous sources present indoors (Sapkota et al., 2006; Batterman et al., 2007; Charles et al., 2007; Tipton & Dzombak, 2005).

The VOCs enter the atmosphere at room temperature and may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and irritation of mucous membranes (Teixeira et al., 2009; Nathanson, 1995; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2001; Sivertsen, 1997).

The air pollution problem inside or over the industrial area has different sources, including the plant operation and related activities. The general objective of this study is the assessment of air quality level inside the industrial area. This study will be considered as a benchmark of the environmental database for all industrial areas in the eastern province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Air quality parameters include temperature, relative humidity, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone, carbon dioxide and total volatile organic compounds, particulate matter PM 10, particulate matter PM 2.5 and total suspended particulate (TSP). Indoor air quality recorded at the facility is shown in Table 4.

The findings of the ambient air quality monitoring study show that the air quality parameters are within the acceptable limit of national ambient air quality standards. The findings of the indoor air quality monitoring study show that the air quality parameters are within the acceptable limit of working environment except for particulate matter, PM 10 and PM 2.5 at production area.

We recommend wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and a nose mask must be mandatory at production areas.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Shafi, S., & Khelif, B. Y. (2021). Environmental Monitoring of Ambient Outdoor, Indoor Air Quality Pollutants, PM 10 and PM 2.5 Conducted to Evaluate Its Impact Analysis and Quantification in Industrial Area of Dammam, KSA. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 9, 100-114. https://doi.org/10.4236/gep.2021.97007