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Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in PakistanDr. Murtaza Malik1, Irfan Saeed Alrai2, Dr. Azhar Mansur Khan3 and Shaukat Hayat41,2,3 NEAP-Support Program, Ministry of Environment, Pakistan4 Institute of Environmental Engineering and Research, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Objective and Methodology • To review and assess the current state of ambient air quality monitoring in Pakistan • Desk study: • Studies conducted by various organizations between 1992 to 2003 were reviewed and analyzed.
Organizations Involved in Air Quality Monitoring • Institute of Public Health Engineering and Research (IPHER), now the Institute of Environmental Engineering and Research (IEER), Lahore. • Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) • SUPARCO • Federal and Provincial Environmental Protection Agencies. • Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission • National Energy Conservation Center (ENERCON) • Pakistan Met Dept • Other research organizations and consulting firms
Major Studies on Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in Pakistan • Lahore, Institute of Public Health and Engineering, Lahore (1992, 1993, 1997, 1999) • Urban Centers of Punjab – EPD Punjab (1997, 1998) • Karachi – PCSIR (1997), SUPARCO (1999) • NWFP – DHV (1994) • Peshawar – EPA (1995), IUCN (1996), GTZ (1999, 2000) • JICA and Pak EPA (2001, 2002, 2003) • SUPARCO (1998-2003) • ENERCON/SUPARCO – Six Cities Study (ongoing)
Studies on Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in Pakistan • Institute of Public Health and Engineering, Lahore conducted a study from June 1992 to October 1993 under the title "Physico-Chemical Characterization and Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Suspended Particulate Matter in Pakistan" • PM10 concentrations were measured in Lahore at city centre, an industrial site and a rural site. • Average concentrations averaged at three sites: • Suspended particulates (TSP): 325 - 862 g/m3 • Carbon monoxide : 345 - 6,100 g/m3 (0.3 - 5.3 ppm) • Sulphur dioxide: 0.0 - 24.6 g/m3 (0.0 - 9.3 ppb) • Nitrogen oxides: 14.0 - 103.5 g/m3 (7.5 - 55.2 ppb)
Results of Air Quality Monitoring Study in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad- (Pak EPA / JICA, 2001) • Average TSP: g/m3 • Rawalpindi: 2235 • Islamabad: 2308 • Lahore: 2316
Max Concentration of PM 10 in Six Big Cities of Pakistan (SUPARCO)
Results of Air Quality Study in Faisalabad (Pak-EPA/ JICA) October 2003 PM10 Concentrations at different Sampling Points in Faisalabad (µg/m3)
Results of Air Quality Study in Faisalabad (Pak-EPA/ JICA) October 2003 PM10 Concentrations at different sites in Faisalabad
Results of Air Quality Study in Faisalabad (Pak-EPA/ JICA) October 2003 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Concentrations at different sampling points in Faisalabad (WHO = 35 ppm)
Results of Air Quality Study in Faisalabad (Pak-EPA/ JICA) October 2003 NOx Concentrations at different sampling points in Faisalabad (WHO = 110 ppb)
Results of Air Quality Study in Faisalabad (Pak-EPA/ JICA) October 2003 Ozone (O3) Concentrations at different sampling points in Faisalabad (WHO = 90 ppb)
Studies on Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in Pakistan • Most of the studies were based on random and short-term sampling surveys. • Do not report requisite information including: • Times of measurements • Frequency and number of observations • Details of sampling locations
Studies on Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in Pakistan • Data reported in these studies cannot be compared because of variation in methodologies used and sampling locations. • These data may not present a true picture of ambient air quality in Pakistan. • These data, however, present a general idea about the prevailing situation at specified locations in Pakistan.
Status on Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in Pakistan • The reported data reveal that: • Air quality in Pakistani cities is deteriorating. • Suspended particulate levels are generally high. • Ambient CO, O3, NOx, and SO2 concentrations are mostly within WHO air quality guidelines values. • CO and Nox concentrations at points under the influence of heavy traffic may sometime exceed the guideline values. • SO2 concentrations in the vicinity of the brick kilns are also high.
Issues • Regular long-term monitoring of ambient air quality is not done. • Non-existence of the ambient air quality standards • Lack of monitoring stations • Lack capacity to monitor air quality
The Way Forward • Pak EPA has developed a project titled “Establishment of Environmental Monitoring System in Pakistan” • Cost: Rs. 1089.1 million (Grant for Government of Japan and funding from PSDP) • Implementation by Pak-EPA in collaboration with provincial EPAs
The Way Forward • Major components, inter-alia, include: • Provision of 13 continuous air monitoring stations and 4 mobile laboratories in five cities (Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Islamabad) • Up-gradation of analytical laboratories in five EPAs • Establishment of air surveillance center • Provision of necessary project staff training