10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
Lahore Smog – Componential Analysis, Causes and Effects
ZULFIQAR ALI, Irfan Zainab, Zona Zaidi, Komel Ahmad, Syed Turab Raza, Saira Khan, Rida Ahmad, Khadija Aziz, Mubashir Ahmad, Sidra Safdar, Zaheer Ahmad Nasir, Ian Colbeck, Nimra Afzal, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
Abstract Number: 280 Working Group: Aerosol Exposure
Abstract South and East Asia is the region where 99 percent human reside in areas with poor air quality where PM2.5 levels greatly exceed the WHO limits of 25 µg/m³. With the annual average PM2.5 levels of 101 µg/m³, Pakistan is enlisted as one of the worst countries in terms of air pollution with an annual mortality rate of more than 22,600 deaths per year in 2005, of which more than 800 were children under five years of age. Ambient levels of particulate matter have been reported by many researchers to be manifolds higher than the WHO recommended limits and there has been very little if any work done on improving the air quality of urban areas.
The last two years forecast of Lahore has been hazy with dense fog and smoky at start of November each year. At first the smog was considered a normal though unexpected event but by the second year, there were increasing complaints of burning in the eyes and breathing difficulties.
The smog persisted and the visibility was reduced to almost zero. People were warned to stay indoors and to limit any outdoor activities if any. They were advised to wear masks when outdoors and to keep washing their eyes with water from time to time so as to minimize the risk of exposure to the deadly haze surrounding the city.
The data for current smog episodes was collected from real time continuous ambient air monitors DRX (8533TSI), Aeroqual (500) with sensors Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide; Ozone, and Carbon Dioxide along with metrological parameters like humidity, wind speed and temperature by Kestral (4000) Weather Station. A volumetric sampler with 40 liter per minute was used to assess further chemical and biological analysis.
November 2016 was characterized with high level of critical pollutants, which in general, were attributed to geographical location of the Lahore city in high crop burning area, high vehicular and population density. The smoggy condition was prevailed for about 14 days (October to November 2016), and 15 days in 2017 with onset a week earlier. In 2016 the situation persisted for almost two weeks and reported cases for Acute Respiratory Illness increased by 19 percent and 67 percent in 2017 for same period. Due to breathing difficulties and lung damage increased hospital admissions were evident for the reason that of smog episodes after harsh exposure. These complications may lead to premature deaths as its proved in studies that thousands of deaths in Europe, Asia and the United states have been linked to effects of smog.
Upon monitoring the air of the city, it was found to be laden with extremely high levels of VOCs, and particulate matter with some concentration of NOx while ozone and SOx were negligible. Lead was also found to be in alarming concentrations. The major sources attributed to the buildup of these pollutants included the increase in motor vehicles and industrial units in and around the city while burning of agricultural crop residue in India at a massive level was also highlighted by NASA to be the main culprit. Combined with high atmospheric pressure, increased humidity and thus low wind speed the pollutants were unable to disperse thereby affecting the health of the residents. This smog episode can be considered a warning bell for the government agencies and the public since these incidents may recur if the sources are not reduced and strong initiatives for clean air are not taken on time.