Comparative evaluation of major pollutants from different sites of Pakistan (original) (raw)
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Development of baseline (air quality) data in Pakistan
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2007
During 2003–2004, SUPARCO, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission has conducted a year long baseline air quality study in country’s major urban areas (Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Peshawar). The objective of this study was to establish baseline levels and behavior of airborne pollutants in urban centers with temporal and spatial parameters. This study reveals that the highest concentrations of CO were observed at Quetta (14 ppm) while other pollutants like SO2 (52.5 ppb), NOx (60.75 ppb) and O3 (50 ppb) were higher at Lahore compared to other urban centers like Karachi, Peshawar etc. The maximum particulate (TSP) and PM10 levels were observed at Lahore (996 ug/m3 and 368 ug/m3 respectively), Quetta (778 ug/m3, 298 ug/m3) and in Karachi (410 ug/m3, 302 ug/m3). In all major cities the highest levels were recorded at major intersections and variations were directly correlated with traffic density. These pollutants showed highest levels in summer and spring while lowest were observed in winter and monsoon. A data bank has been generated for future planning and air pollution impact studies.
Air Pollution as an Environmental Hazard; a Case Study Karna Basti of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Sindh University Research Journal, 2012
Air pollution has now been one of the major problems faced by every country of the world. This is because increase in the production and use of fossil fuels in many ways e.g. industrial revolution, rapid increase in urban population results in the increase in urban transport which ultimately pollute the environment. Many cities around the world, particularly in developing countries, are experiencing rapid growth. Larger cities with highly concentrated industry, intensive transport networks and high population density are threats to urban environment. More people, more industry, and more motor vehicles cause ever-worsening air pollution which poses serious environmental threat in many cities. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international agencies have long identified urban air pollution as a critical public health problem. The study focused on major pollutants from different sources and impact of pollutants on human health. The study provides links between air pollut...
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2021
This study, for the first time, aims to evaluate the situation of air quality in Pakistan critically; through a detailed assessment of sources, policies, and key challenges to identify the plausible way forward. Air pollution and particulate matter have merged as a global challenge in recent years because of its growing health and socioeconomic risks. The intensity and impacts of these risks have become more pronounced, especially in developing countries like Pakistan that lack adequate warning, protection, and management systems. Various epidemiological studies have linked poor air quality with different health disorders and increasing death rates. In Pakistan, mortality rates as a result of exposure to increased levels of air pollutants, especially particulate matter, are alarming. According to the World Bank's estimates, Pakistan's annual burden of disease from outdoor air pollution is responsible for around 22,000 premature adult deaths and 163,432 DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) lost. The concentration of major air pollutants in Pakistan, such as NOx, O 3, and SO 2 have also been increasing significantly over the last two decades. Several studies are also reporting multiple instances of air quality around the major cities of Pakistan being consistently exceeding the national guidelines. During teh year 2019 PM 2.5 cocnentrations in the city of Lahore revealed that almost every single day was in exceedance of the WHO and national air quality standards. Although the substantial effects of these rising pollutant concentrations in Pakistan have been stated in a few studies, however, the total extent, nature of contributing factors, and consequences remain inadequately understood. This study aims to use data available from monitoring stations, satellites, and literature to highlight the gaps in our understanding and emphasize the critical challenges associated with poor air quality faced in Pakistan. Topmost is the lack of air quality monitoring systems followed by poor initiatives by policymakers and enforcement agencies. A way forward while addressing these key challenges is also discussed, which focuses on the development of flexible monitoring, new technologies, and monitoring approaches in addition to communications among the various public, private agencies, and all relevant stakeholders.
Remote Sensing of Environment
Lahore, Gujranwala, and Okara are the most polluted city based on PM2.5 Jhang, Multan, and Vehari are the most polluted cities based on AOD Aerosols, nighttime lights, population, cropland, and fire show same spatial patterns Pakistan's entire population is exposed to long-term PMx (x = 1, 2.5, & 10) Pakistan's air quality is mainly affected by local anthropogenic sources Highlights (for review) 2
State of air quality in twin cities of Pakistan: Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Atmósfera
La contaminación atmosférica se ha perfilado como un desastre en países en desarrollo como Pakistán. El objetivo el presente estudio fue observar y analizar el estado de la calidad del aire en las ciudades paquistaníes gemelas de Rawalpindi e Islamabad, cuya población combinada es de 15 millones de habitantes. Se midieron las concentraciones de los principales contaminantes junto con las de CO 2 en cinco sitios dentro de esas ciudades. El muestreo se realizó durante 24 h en cada sitio, utilizando un laboratorio móvil para medir la calidad del aire. Se encontraron concentraciones totales de SO 2 , NO x y O 3 dentro de los límites permitidos de acuerdo con los estándares de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de EUA y los Estándares Nacionales de Calidad Ambiental de Pakistán. Las concentraciones más altas de PM 10 se observaron en Saddar, Rawalpindi (184 µg m-3), en tanto que los valores mínimos se obtuvieron en la Zona Azul de Islamabad (121 µg m-3). Durante el periodo de estudio, las concentraciones de CO 2 permanecieron altas en casi todos los sitios, con un valor máximo de 409 ppm.
Polish Journal of Environmental Studies
The problem of escalating air pollution in many developing countries is associated with overpopulation and increasing industrialization. Air pollution at the regional level in many of these developing nations has been attributed to the use of non-renewable fuels such as diesel and biomass [1]. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) estimate, around 3.7 million deaths in 2012 were linked to ambient air pollution [2], with 88% occurring in low-and middle-income countries. Particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5) is allegedly responsible for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancer [3-5]. Air quality a sssessment in the Asian region shows that concentrations of air pollutants in highincome countries also usually exceed WHO guidelines and ambient air quality standards [6-7].
Assessment of Air Pollution by PM10 and PM2.5 in Nawabshah City, Sindh, Pakistan
Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, 2019
Increased traffic density due to urbanization is a major cause of air quality deterioration. Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) constitutes one of the most challenging issues in environmental research. This study was designed to assess PM10 and PM2.5 pollution at ten main locations in Nawabshah. Analysis of PM10 and PM2.5 pollution was carried randomly at different selected locations of the city. The highest concentration of PM10 was found at Mohini bazar (MB) and the highest concentration for PM2.5 was found at New Naka (NN). The mean concentration of PM10 was 78.3% higher than world health organization (WHO) standards and 35% than Pakistan’s National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS). The mean concentration of PM2.5 was 47.3% and 26.3% higher respectively. Mean concentrations of PM2.5 on day-2 and day-10 were found lower than those set by NEQS, while mean concentrations of PM10 on all days exceeded the WHO and NEQS standards indicating that the city was heavily polluted more...
Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2024
Smog has become the fifth season of Pakistan especially in Lahore city. Increased level of air pollutants (primary and secondary) are thought to be responsible for the formation of smog in Lahore. Therefore, the current study was carried out for the evaluation of air pollutants (primary and secondary) of smog in Wagah border particularly and other sites (Jail road, Gulburg) Lahore. For this purpose, baseline data on winter smog from March to December on primary and secondary air pollutants and meteorological parameters was collected from Environmental Protection Department and Pakistan Meteorological Department respectively. Devices being used in both departments for analysis of parameters were also studied. Collected data was further statistically analyzed to determine the correlation of parameters with meteorological conditions and was subjected to air quality index. According to results, PM 10 and PM 2.5 were found very high above the NEQS. NOx concentrations were also high above...
Evaluation of Ambient Air Quality in Lahore, Pakistan
According to air quality standards of NEQS and USEPA, the air quality parameters such as particulate matter (PM ), NO , NO, SO COand their variation in Lahore were evaluated. The concentrations of these pollutants were measured at 19 sites for the period of three months. Results showed that concentration of PM , NO , and NO in the ambient air of Lahore city was much higher in month of June, while it reduced well below the limits of NEQS in July, but still higher than the USEPA ambient air quality standards. The level of SO was found lower than both the NEQS and USEPA standards throughout the study period and the variations in NO and SO level were found significant (P<0.05) in different periods and sites. Furthermore, it was also found that the vehicular and industrial areas were the major contributors as compared to residential/commercial areas.
Assessment of Air Pollutants in Karachi and Hyderabad Cities and Their Possible Reduction Options
2015
The purpose of this study was to examine the level of particulates and carbon concentrations in the form of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in Karachi and Hyderabad cities of Sindh province and to propose possible options for reducing the level of air pollutants. For that, a total of six critical locations each in Karachi and Hyderabad cities were selected for recording and analysis of air pollutants. The air quality parameters were recorded for thirty times in each location using standard instruments. The level of single parameter recording took about ninety minutes as the readings were noted after stability of the values in the instrument. The measured results were also compared with National Ambient Air Quality Standards. It was found from the results that the average level of PM at all locations in Karachi city was almost double than Hyderabad city. 2.5 The concentration level of CO and CO was found to be more in Karachi than Hyderabad. The level of PM 2 2.5 in Karachi and PM...