Determination of Heavy Elements (Copper and Cadmium) Present in Baghdad City Dust

Abstract This research investigated concentrations of the copper and cadmium in road dust gathered from varied locations in Baghdad, Iraq. Six residential areas (three from Karkh district and three from Rusafa district) were selected as a control sample. Samples were collected from the rooftops using polyethylene bagsand analyzed using an elemental determination device with a Contra 700 atomic spectrometer to determine levels of these heavy metals. The results showed significant elevations in cadmium in Al-Waziria, -0.01 and Al-Baladiyyat, -0.01, respectively (P<0.05) for each of them compared to the blank value. However, there were insignificant differences in cadmium (Cd) contamination in Sha’ab -0.02, Al-Dura -0.02 and Al-Yarmouk -0.02 districts. Significant airborne copper (Cu) contamination was found Air pollution with copper (CU) between different areas, is associated with a significant increase in the areas respectively ratio (0.2, 0.19, 0.18, 0.15, 0.18, 0.16) (Al-Waziria > Sha’ab > Al-Baladiyat > Al-Dura > Ghazaliya > Yarmouk). (P< 0.05) for each of them compared to the blank value. The main sources of cadmium in Baghdad dust are tire wear, brake wear, and vehicle emissions, while copper originates from metal processing industries, construction activities, and corrosion of copper pipes. This aims of study investigate incidence of heavy elements dust pollution in the urban areas and emphasizes finding solutions to reduction the causes of heavy elements emissions to limit environmental pollution.