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J. mt. area res., Vol. 2, 2017
Journal of Mountain Area Research
DETERMINATION OF DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION LEVEL FROM
SELECTED AREAS OF RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN
S. Pervez1,*, M. S. Siddique1, H. Y. Abdullah1, A. Zahra2, N. K. khanzada1, H. Fareed1, G. Hasnain1
1. Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (IESE, NUST), Islamabad
2. School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology (SNS, NUST), Islamabad
ABSTRACT
Anthropogenic contaminants arising from both stationary (power plants, industries and
residential heating) and mobile sources (road traffic) can harm ambient air quality in urban areas.
Depending upon their physical state, these pollutants are classified as liquid and vapor phases
and are subsequently transported to the Earth’s surface through dry and wet deposition. After the
deposition of these pollutants onto the surface of earth various health effects caused by these
pollutants occurred like cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. In this study four different
locations/sites were selected from the Rawalpindi city depending upon the population, traffic
rush and industries to examine the noise level, concentration of carbon dioxide and heavy metals.
Air sampler was used for the collection of air sample to analyze the heavy metal concentration,
Quest electronic sound meter for measuring sound level and SIBATA for CO2 measurement. The
study findings revealed that noise level was higher at all selected locations as described by WHO
limit (70 dB) being highest at Industrial area due to heavy machinery and lowest at green area.
Concentration of all four heavy metals were high as compared with the prescribed limits. CO2
level reaches up to 300 ppm because of coal consumption during the winter season. The threshold
values of all these selected parameters well above the prescribed limits defined by the authorities
so to combat with this situation we should move towards more energy efficient fuels, proper
maintenance of vehicles and machineries, traffic management and installation of noise barriers
in industries as well as installation of catalytic convertors in vehicles to stop further air pollution.
KEYWORDS: Climate change, Heavy metals, CO2, Noise, Rawalpindi
*Corresponding author: (Email: saim3035@gmail.com)
1. INTRODUCTION
Pakistan is bestowed with a great
diversity of landscape, climate, seasons,
ecosystems, etc. The landscape ranges from
snowcapped peaks in the Himalayan Range
in the north to Arabian Sea coastline in the
south, from agriculture ranges in the plains to
hot dry deserts in Sindh and Baluchistan. This
diversity has given rise to a variety of living
organisms including flora, fauna, animals,
birds, insects, etc. which provide economic
Vol. 2, 2017
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Pervez et al., J. mt. area res. 02 (2017) 16-22
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J. mt. area res., Vol. 2, 2017
benefits and services to human society as
well as ecological, recreational, cultural and
aesthetic values.
However, this diversity provided by the
nature has not been exempted by the
human greed for development, has been to
a large extent exploiting the variety of
resources provided by the nature. Although
Pakistan contributes only 0.8 percent in the
global greenhouse gas emissions and is
ranked 135th in global GHG per capita
emissions, still the countries biodiversity is
prone to adverse impacts of climate change
and the country has been rated as one of
the most vulnerable nations to the adverse
effects of climate change.
Sources of air pollution are: (1) Natural
(2) manufactured. Natural sources includes
wind storms, volcanic ash and gases, pollens
and gases or odors from natural
decomposition while man-made sources of
air pollution are: industries and vehicles (El-
Mubarak et al., 2014). The main pollutants
from all these sources are carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane (CH4), hydrocarbons and
particulate matter. Two different types of air
pollutants are present, Primary and
secondary pollutant. Primary pollutants are
those that occurs in a harmful concentration,
added directly to the air by natural events or
human activities while secondary pollutants
are formed in atmosphere when a primary
pollutant reacts with the normal air
components or with other air pollutants. [1].
Effects of all these man-made or natural
atmospheric pollutants are very adverse like
severe respiratory problems such as asthma,
chronic bronchitis, and degraded lung
function and at last but not least respiratory
failure [2, 3].
So, it is necessary to combat with all
these types of pollutants and with the
sources, that a healthier environment could
achieve and climate change not affect at
all. The aim of the present study is to analyze
and characterize the ambient air of
Rawalpindi city for the quantitative
assessment of heavy metals, noise level and
carbon dioxide emissions from
anthropogenic sources and examine the
current level of compliance with
environmental regulations.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present study deals with the
characterization and analysis of ambient air
of Rawalpindi city. For this analysis, four
different locations based upon populations
and industrial density were selected. Bahria
town was selected as residential area while
commercial market selected as a
commercial area. Murree road is one of the
congested and busy road of Rawalpindi city
and also industries lies on the side of the road
hence it was selected as industrial area
whereas Ayub Park selected as green area.
Air samples were collected from December
to February.
A brief methodology followed during the
project was:
1. Selection of the area
2. Visiting the sites
3. Taking the readings of noise and CO2
4. Collecting the air samples
5. Obtaining the heavy metals
measurements using the AAS.
6. Comparing the values with standards
The analysis of different parameters
measured were performed using standard
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J. mt. area res., Vol. 2, 2017
methods by APHA (American Public Health
Association) 2010 as reference.
Figure 1. Selection of the areas
2.1. Measurement of Noise Level
For noise measurement the standard
method was used as described in the
literature. Instrument that was used named
as Quest electronic sound meter (model 211
fs). First of all turn on the meter, select 100 dB
range position then switch on the calibrator
and check battery level indicator, carefully
insert the meter microphone into the
calibrator coupler. If reading is off slightly,
insert a small screwdriver in the small hole on
the bottom of the meter. Now change the
selector switch to 110 dB position on the
meter and note the needle should drop to
the zero position on the meter dial. Meter is
now calibrated and ready for use. Allow the
needle to stabilize and record the
measurement. (APHA, 2010)
Figure 2. Quest electronic sound meter
2.2. Measurement of Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
CO2 in air was monitored using
combustion Gas Analyzer (US). The CO2
value was monitored and average was
calculated. The sound level was monitored
with the help of a portable sound meter. The
equipment was mounted on a tripod stand
with a microphone 1.5 m above the ground
level. The data was continuously monitored
and average values were calculated.
(APHA, 2010)
Figure 3. SIBATA CO2 meter
2.3. Air Samples for Heavy Metals
Determination
Pall flex quartz fiber filter was used for air
sampling which was preheated at 550 0C for
1 hour. It was then mounted on an air
sampler for 2 hours and air flow was kept at
1m3/min. After sampling, the paper was
stored in aluminum foil and stored in freezer
till analysis. Heavy metals were determined
by chemically digesting filter paper and the
resulting solution analyzed using AAS (atomic
absorption spectrometer) [4].
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3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Results and discussion were made
according to the survey of the selected
areas and after the calculation of the
desired pollutant level.
3.1. Noise Level at Selected Sites of Study
Area
The noise level determined using the
sound meter at all the selected locations and
found it to be that at location of Ayub Park
which is declared as green area has the
minimum level of 78dB while the residential
area and commercial area both have the
same value of noise level i.e. 90dB although
commercial area has more average value
which is because of excessive vehicle horn
and heavy traffic jam [5]. The value of sound
was higher at industrial area i.e. 80-90dB
because of heavy machinery working and
industrial plants. The noise level at all the
selected locations was greater than the
prescribed limits given by world health
organization (WHO). Chronic exposure of this
loud noise level cause problems like
cardiovascular and hypertension [6].
Figure 4. Average of Noise level (dB)
3.2. Carbon Dioxide Concentration at
Selected Locations
Because of anthropogenic activities,
CO2 concentration was up to 300ppm. Max
average value was observed at Bahria town
i.e. 238 ppm while minimum average value
was noted at commercial market. Murree
road and Ayub Park had the average values
of 214 and 207 ppm respectively.
Astonishingly the area expected to have
minimum pollution levels i.e. residential area
of Ayub Park had maximum average values
observed. This was probably winds blowing
that took high concentrations of CO2 from
congested areas like commercial markets to
residential areas like Bahria town [7].
Moreover highest values were observed at 1:
00 PM and 7: 00 PM because these are the
peak hours having maximum traffic
population. Pakistan is one of top 50
countries in terms of CO2 emissions [8].
Figure 5. Average of Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
concentration (ppm)
3.3. Heavy Metals Concentrations
3.3.1. Lead
Maximum concentration was observed
at Bahria town i.e. 149 µg/m3 while minimum
at Ayub park i.e. 63 µg/m3 .there are two
main sources of lead, lower quality fuel
combustion and lead based paints [9]. Both
of these sources are absent in Ayub park
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J. mt. area res., Vol. 2, 2017
that’s why it has minimum concentration
while in residential area paints and use of fuel
in generators for electricity purpose are the
source that’s why it has maximum values. All
values are exceeding WHO guidelines of 0.5
µg/m3 which is alarming because lead is very
harmful for human health mainly damage to
nervous system even leading to death [10].
3.3.2. Chromium
Maximum concentration was observed
at commercial market i.e. 42 µg/m3 while
minimum at Ayub park. All the values are
exceeding WHO guidelines for 0.11 µg/m3.
Chromium is build up in atmosphere when
there is lack of winds and air congestion. As
commercial market was congested area so
there was lack of winds in area which results
in chromium buildup due to pollution in area.
When there is good wind it is readily diluted.
Chromium in air can lead to lung cancer [11].
3.3.3. Arsenic
Maximum value was observed at
commercial market i.e. 33 µg/m3.Main
sources of arsenic are fuel combustion and
metal smelting and aerosols from pesticide.
Welding shops lead to smelting while
pesticides are used in parks adding to fuel
combustion of vehicles. All the values are
exceeding guidelines of WHO i.e.0.11 µg/m3.
This should be taken as important concern
because arsenic is very poisonous for human
health [12].
3.3.4. Iron
All the values were exceeding the
standards set by WHO for iron in air i.e. 150
µg/m3. Highest values were obtained at
commercial market and Murree road i.e. 376
and 512 µg/m3 respectively. Sources were
use of old machinery, dust winds and local
industrial area [13].
3.3.5. Manganese
Manganese concentration were lowest
among all the heavy metals detected but it
was still higher than WHO standards i.e. 0.15
µg/m3.highest levels were obtained at
Murree road i.e. 162 µg/m3 and lowest levels
were detected at Ayub park i.e. 3 µg/m3.
Sources of manganese are production of
steel and alloys and burning of fossil fuels
that’s why it has maximum concentration at
Murree road. [4]. its chronic exposure can
cause neurological disorders [14].
Figure 6. Average concentration of heavy
metals
4. CONCLUSIONS
It was observed that almost all the values
for heavy metals and noise were found to be
exceeding the WHO guidelines that is very
alarming situation for the city environment
and its inhabitants. Poisonous and dangerous
heavy metals such as Arsenic (peak value: 33
µg/m3, WHO limit: 0.11 µg/m3), Lead (peak
value: 149 µg/m3, WHO limit: 0.50 µg/m3) and
Chromium (peak value: 42 µg/m3, WHO limit:
0.11 µg/m3) are more than 10 times their
guideline values. Average Noise levels were
around 80-90 db whereas safe hearing limit is
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J. mt. area res., Vol. 2, 2017
below 85 db. CO2 values (300 ppm) were
although in bearable limit but it is a
greenhouse gas so this average amount of
CO2 may be significant for our global
temperature rise.
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