Physical Pollution of the Environment in Egypt

1.

CAIRO, EGYPT
30.0444° N
EGYPT
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
PHYSICAL
POLLUTION
EGYPY
2024
Thermal • Noise • Radiation
Electromagnetic Pollution & Health Impacts
PRESENTED BY:
SUPERVISOR:
Salil Mogalli
Dr. Olga

2.

TYPES OF PHYSICAL POLLUTION
PHYSICAL
POLLUTION
01
OVERVIEW
02
Thermal
Physical pollution consists of harmful forms of energy that disrupt natural
systems and human health, including excessive heat, noise, radiation, and
Noise
Excessive heat, temperature changes from industrial
Unwanted, disturbing sound from traffic, construction,
discharge and climate change
urban activities
electromagnetic fields.
Heat Stress
Sound Levels
Unlike chemical pollutants, physical pollutants are forms of energy rather than matter,
making them invisible but equally dangerous.
03
04
Radiation
02
PP-EG
Ionizing radiation from nuclear facilities, medical
EM fields from mobile towers, wireless communications,
sources, natural elements
5G networks
Nuclear Energy
PAGE 02
Electromagnetic
EM Fields

3.

TYPE 01
THERMAL
POLLUTION
EGYPT
Rising temperatures due to climate change and industrial activities
create extreme heat conditions across Egyptian cities.
MAIN SOURCES
TEMPERATURE RISE
+2.5°C
by 2050
Heat waves
Industrial discharge
Climate change
HEALTH IMPACTS
Heat Stroke & Hyperthermia
Life-threatening conditions
Cardiovascular Stress
Increased heart attacks
03
"Extreme heat waves cause
thousands of deaths annually in
Egypt"
CAIRO • ALEXANDRIA

4.

TYPE 02
NOISE
POLLUTION
CAIRO, EGYPT
Cairo ranks among the world's noisiest cities, with sound levels
frequently exceeding 90 dB—far above safe limits.
PEAK LEVELS
90+ dB
24/7
MAIN SOURCES
Traffic
Construction
Urban activities
HEALTH IMPACTS
Hearing Loss & Impairment
Permanent damage to auditory system
Hypertension & Heart Disease
Elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular stress
04
"Car horns, loud music, and
ageing engines create hazardous
sound levels across Egyptian
cities"
CAIRO • URBAN NOISE

5.

TYPE 03
RADIATION
POLLUTION
EGYPT
Ionizing radiation from natural and artificial sources poses serious health risks. Prolonged exposure
increases cancer rates and genetic damage.
TYPES
Natural: Radon, Uranium
Artificial: Nuclear, Medical
KEY SOURCES
El-Dabaa NPP
Medical facilities
Industrial activities
HEALTH RISKS
Cancer Development
Increased tumor risk
"Radiation safety is critical for public health protection"
NUCLEAR SAFETY
Cardiovascular Disease
Heart and blood vessel damage
05

6.

TYPE 04
ELECTROMAGNETIC
EGYPT
Rapid expansion of wireless infrastructure has exponentially
increased population exposure to electromagnetic fields across
Egypt.
KEY SOURCES
GROWTH RATE
+45%
Since 2010
Mobile towers
5G networks
Wi-Fi systems
HEALTH IMPACTS
Headaches & Dizziness
Frequent migraine episodes
Memory Changes
Cognitive impairment reported
06
"Egyptian studies link EMF exposure to
neurobehavioral effects in nearby
residents"
TELECOMMUNICATIONS

7.

07
Short-Term vs Long-Term Effects
HEALTH
IMPACTS
COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW
Physical pollution affects every aspect of human health, from acute
PHYSICAL POLLUTION
IMMEDIATE
Short-Term Effects
CHRONIC
Long-Term Effects
Headaches & Dizziness
Cardiovascular Disease
Sleep Disturbances
Cancer Development
Hearing Loss (Noise)
Neurological Disorders
Heat Stress
Genetic Damage
symptoms to chronic diseases.
Combined exposure to multiple pollutants creates synergistic health risks
for Egyptian population.
Vulnerable Groups
Economic Impact
Children • Elderly • Pregnant Women
Healthcare System Burden
$$
07

8.

FIELD RESEARCH
08
CASE STUDIES
GREATER CAIRO
ALEXANDRIA
Noise Pollution
Heat Stress
Average sound levels: 85-95 dB
Summer temperatures: 45°C+
Traffic congestion: High
Heat waves: Increasing
37% of residents report psychological effects
Cardiovascular emergencies rise in summer months
URBAN AREAS
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
EMF Exposure
WHO Guidelines
Study participants: 520 residents
Noise: 70 dB (daytime)
Symptoms reported: Headaches (23.5%)
EMF: 0.45-0.6 mW/cm²
Memory changes: 28.2% of surveyed population
Many Egyptian cities exceed safe limits
EGYPTIAN FIELD RESEARCH 2020-2024

9.

09
Key Solutions
MITIGATION
STRATEGIES
SIX APPROACHES
01
02
Government Regulations
International Cooperation
Strict pollution control laws, emission standards, zoning
Collaborative frameworks with WHO, UNEP, sharing best
policies, and enforcement mechanisms.
practices, and technology transfer.
SOLUTIONS & ACTIONS
03
04
Addressing physical pollution requires multi-level approach involving
government, industry, and citizens.
Implementing sustainable practices and innovative technologies can reduce
pollution levels significantly.
Public Awareness
Technological Solutions
Educational campaigns, community programs, health
Green technology, noise barriers, heat-resistant materials,
guidelines, and citizen science initiatives.
and advanced filtration systems.
05
Individual Actions
Reduce noise, use public transport, adopt energy-efficient
practices, and support green initiatives.
06
Urban Development
Sustainable city planning, green spaces, smart
infrastructure, and resilient community design.
09

10.

FORWARD LOOKING
ACTION PLAN
FUTURE
CHALLENGES
Climate Change Intensification
Rising temperatures will exacerbate thermal pollution, increasing heat-related illnesses
Urban Population Growth
Rapid urbanization increases density, noise, and electromagnetic exposure risks
RECOMMENDATIONS
For Policy Makers
Implement stricter emission limits, invest in green infrastructure, establish real-time monitoring
systems
Community Engagement
Launch public awareness campaigns, involve citizens in decision-making, promote sustainable
lifestyles
Research Priorities
5G Technology Expansion
Study long-term health effects, develop mitigation technologies, assess cumulative pollution impacts
New wireless infrastructure requires careful health impact assessment and regulation
International Collaboration
Align with WHO guidelines, share best practices, participate in global monitoring networks
PAGE 10 / 12

11.

11
Research Sources
REFERENCES
THERMAL POLLUTION
• Health and Climate Change in Egypt (Lancet Countdown, 2024)
CATEGORIZED BY TYPE
NOISE POLLUTION
• Noise Pollution in Egypt (Raseef22, 2023)
• Road Traffic Noise as Public Health Problem (ICBEN)
• Heatwaves and Air Quality in Greater Cairo (Mostafa et al., 2024)
• Climate Change and Health in Egypt (EIPR Report)
• Community Noise in Greater Cairo (El Samra, 2016)
• Environmental Awareness: Noise in Egypt (El-Bardisy, 2025)
• Heat Waves and Possible Air Quality Impacts (Columbia Univ.)
SOURCES & RESOURCES
Academic research, government reports, and international
guidelines addressing physical pollution in Egypt.
RADIATION
• Radioactivity Levels in Middle East Water (AIP, 2025)
All sources referenced throughout this presentation.
• Radiological Risk Assessment (Nature Scientific Reports, 2025)
• Radiological Behavior and Health Risk (PMC, 2025)
• Nuclear Power Plant Safety Concerns (Earth.com, 2025)
ACADEMIC & GOVERNMENT SOURCES 2023-2025
ELECTROMAGNETIC
• Neurobehavioral Effects of Mobile Towers (Abdel-Rassoul, 2007)
• Biological Effects of EMFs (Panagopoulos, 2025)
• SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (Youssef, 2024)
• EMF Exposure and Health (Levitt, 2010)

12.

THANK
YOU
PRESENTATION COMPLETE
Protecting our environment from physical
Addressing physical pollution in Egypt is crucial for the health and wellbeing of our population. Together, we can create a cleaner, healthier future.
PRESENTED BY
Salil Mogalli
SUPERVISOR
Dr. Olga
pollution is essential for public health and
sustainable development in Egypt.
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