Assessment of Air Pollution by PM10 and PM2.5 in Nawabshah City, Sindh, Pakistan

A A Siyal,A Mengal,K C Mukwana,Z A Siyal,S A Jiskani,S R Samo

doi:10.48084/etasr.2440

Abstract

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 with PM10 than with PM2.5. Re-suspension of dust particles due to traffic flow, open burning of unmanaged solid waste on the sides of the road and in the street, and improper handling of construction and demolition waste were identified as the main sources for PM pollution in the city. Exposure to higher levels of PM10 and PM2.5 can cause health problems. High levels of PM10 and PM2.5 are a call for the implementation of strict measures to control PM pollution at Nawabshah in order to protect public health and the environment.

Highlights

Potential threats to human health and the environment mainly due to air pollution have become an increasing concern, attracting attention [1]
Urban air pollution epitomizes a global problem with a substantial effect on public health, primarily in major cities where the daily mass concentration of airborne particulate matter (PM) exceeds the permissible levels set by the world health organization (WHO) and National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) [2]
The selected city for the survey is passing from this serious issue, PM pollution which is affecting public health, the value of life and the environment

Summary

Introduction

Potential threats to human health and the environment mainly due to air pollution have become an increasing concern, attracting attention [1]. Air pollution is one of the most critical global issues. Urban air pollution epitomizes a global problem with a substantial effect on public health, primarily in major cities where the daily mass concentration of airborne particulate matter (PM) exceeds the permissible levels set by the WHO and NEQS [2]. Airborne PM comprises a complex mixture of different solid and liquid particles suspended in the air either for a long or short time depending upon their size and chemical composition in space and time [3, 4]. PM pollution is mostly described in terms of particle size. Aerodynamic diameter is one of the most important criteria to classify PM into different categories. Transportability of PM in the atmosphere and inhaling ability can be described according to its aerodynamic diameter [6]. PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 microns is known as coarse particles (PM10) and PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≥2.5 microns is termed as fine particles (PM2.5) [5, 7,8,9]

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