The Impacts of Mining Activities in Some Sites of Al- Abyar City, Libya, on Particulate Matter Concentration and Noise Level.

Pollution from human activities remains a significant environmental concern. One of the most notable activities in Al-Abyar city in the Benghazi region of Libya is the production of construction materials such as various types of gravel and calcium carbonate. In this study, we collected particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentration data from 18 locations along the ring road in the center of Al-Abyar over three months (June to August) to assess air quality and its relationship to weather conditions. The average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were found to be 4 to 5 times higher than the 24-hour air quality guideline (AQG) levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for classical air pollutants. This study found that temperature and humidity had no significant impact on particulate matter (PM), specifically PM2.5 and PM10, as air temperature increased from 27.2°C to 44.9°C during the study period. We concluded that individuals who spend extended periods outdoors are particularly vulnerable to the adverse health effects of dust and traffic emissions from road transport operations related to rock mining in Al-Abyar. Finally, the average noise levels across all sites in the study area were below the World Health Organization's permissible limit of 90 decibels. Research on particulate matter (PM) and noise pollution remains limited, we recommend conducting a follow-up study to evaluate the health impacts of prolonged exposure to outdoor air pollution in the study area. Additionally, it is crucial to implement effective and sustainable strategies to reduce exposure.