Lead Pollution and Abatement in the Greater Cairo Area

Lead concentrations in the Greater Cairo (GC) area during the past few years, it can be concluded easily that the lead concentrations was decreased a lot and its values are within the limits stated in the environmental law in Egypt. Lead smelters which were located in the GC area were re-located in industrial areas outside of the urban area of the GC, the lead emissions are greatly decreased. It was found that lead smelters are the main source of lead pollution in the GC area. The second main source of lead pollution is the Mazout combustion (heavy fuel oil). The rest of sources (Cement factories, copper foundries, and lead manufacturing battery factories) had minor effect on lead pollution in the GC area.Due to the efforts made by the Government regarding the re-location of lead smelters from the residential areas to designated industrial areas, the lead emissions was remarkably decreased. For Y 2010 and 1999 comparison of data, the total percentage of decrease is 98%. Remediation of Lead smelter sites was completed and health risk on the residents of neighborhood was decreased.