Development of baseline (air quality) data in Pakistan

Abstract

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 SO(2) (52.5 ppb), NO(x) (60.75 ppb) and O(3)(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/m(3) and 368 ug/m(3) respectively), Quetta (778 ug/m(3), 298 ug/m(3)) and in Karachi (410 ug/m(3), 302 ug/m(3)). 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.

Particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration and source apportionment in lahore

“…11 The major emission sources in Karachi and Lahore, the two biggest cities of Pakistan, are vehicles, industries and fossil fuel based thermal power plants. 12,13 In order to monitor air quality in the country, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) carried out a number of short term winter studies in Lahore over the years 1998-99, 14 17 In these studies, exceptionally high SO 4 2-concentrations were reported during the foggy days.…”

Traffic ‐and Industry‐Related Air Pollution Exposure Assessment in an Asian Megacity

“…Qadir and Zaidi [31] [32] but was almost double than the values specified by the US EPA for an urban environment. The morphology and size distribution study of the collected particulates indicated anthropogenic activities as emission sources.…”

“…[32] It was observed that about 80% of the values crossed the NEQS limits set by Pak-EPA. The highest TSP values were obtained from the traffic crowded areas such as bus stops, railway station, commercial centers, and road intersections.…”

“…The measured average value not only crossed the limits specified by Pak-EPA, US EPA, and WHO, but also the reports from other cities as well. [32,47,48] To measure industrial contribution of ambient suspended particulate in the air, Awan et al [43] collected 48 TSP samples using 24 h sampling from four different cities of Pakistan, having different backgrounds such as Faisalabad and Gujranwala (industrial), Islamabad (semi-industrial), and Bahawalnagar (non-industrial). TSP concentrations were exceptionally high at all the sampling sites, crossing the safe limits specified by WHO, US EPA, and Pak-EPA.…”

“…Javed et al [51] [19,32] as shown in Figure 3. Re-suspended crustal and road-dust, combustion of coal and crude oil, secondary particles, and biomass burning were considered as major sources of particulate emissions.…”