Murat Hüseyin Unsal has defended his thesis entitled "Dust Pollution as an Indicator of Indoor Environment Quality" for the degree of Doctor of Ecology and Environmental Sciences.
Scientific supervisor: Dr. Gytautas Ignatavičius (Vilnius University, Natural Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences).
Scientific consultant: Dr. Vaidotas Valskys (Vilnius University, Natural Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences).
Composition of the Dissertation Defense Board: Chairperson - Prof. Dr. Saulius Vasarevičius (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Natural Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences); Prof. Dr. Paulo Alexandre da Silva Pereira (Mykolas Romeris University, Natural Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences); Prof. Dr. Zygmunt Gizejewski (Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland, Natural Sciences, Zoology); Dr. Virginija Kalcienė (Vilnius University, Natural Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dainius Paliulis (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Natural Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences).
This dissertation addresses an essential yet under-researched issue of indoor dust pollution, focusing on heavy metals in school environments in Vilnius, Lithuania. The author thoroughly analyzes heavy metal concentrations, their sources, and their impact on children's health, emphasizing the vulnerability of children who spend a significant portion of their time in school settings. The study collected comprehensive samples from 24 general education institutions, provided detailed quantitative analyses of heavy metal concentrations, and linked indoor pollution to external sources such as outdoor particulate matter (PM) and soil contaminants.
The dissertation employs advanced methodologies, including Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and geographic spatial mapping, which enable the identification and clear visualization of pathways through which outdoor pollutants infiltrate indoor spaces. This methodological approach strengthens the findings and provides robust evidence of serious health risks associated with heavy metal exposure, including both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects.
One of the significant strengths of this research lies in integrating epidemiological data and health risk assessment models. The results reveal alarming pollution levels, particularly for metals such as lead, arsenic, zinc, and copper, highlighting the urgent need for measures to protect the health of schoolchildren.
This dissertation effectively fills a research gap by providing localized data from Lithuanian schools and offering valuable insights for global discussions on indoor environmental quality and children's health. The detailed analysis of pollution sources and the clear recommendations for mitigation make this work essential reading for policymakers, school administrators, public health professionals, and environmental researchers concerned with indoor air quality and public health protection.
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