Assessment of PM Exposures during Commute in Megacity of Karachi, Pakistan

HAIDER KHWAJA, Kamran Khan, Sumayya Saied, Azhar Siddique, Saiyada Masood, University at Albany

     Abstract Number: 388
     Working Group: Health-Related Aerosols

Abstract
Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan, with a population of more than 20 million. The rapid and continuing increase in the population, urbanization, automobiles, and industries combined with climate change and geogenic conditions have resulted in severe ambient air pollution problems in Karachi with serious health impacts. No systematic measurements of air pollution in urban cities of Pakistan have been done until now. To assess the extent of personal exposure and quantification of the particulate matter (PM) concentration, we conducted the first mobile PM monitoring campaign in Karachi. A portable laser-operated aerosol mass analyzer AEROCET 531 was used to record geo-located size-segregated PM mass (TSP, PM10, PM7, PM2.5, and PM1) concentrations. Seven in-vehicle tracks in different commercial regions of Karachi were studied. All routes are characterized by heavy traffic volumes with a variety of vehicles running with different type of fuels. Maps of routes were generated by using ArcGIS 10.1® software and IDW tool was used to generate the spatial interpolations of the PM. Mean concentrations across the seven tracks were: TSP (685.3 µg/m3), PM10 (527.1 µg/m3), PM7 (385.5 µg/m3), PM2.5 (51.9 µg/m3) and PM1 (8.7 µg/m3). PM concentrations showed strong spatial variability along each track. High volume of traffic, industries, construction work, and re-suspension of particles all collectively gives rise to high PM concentrations and posing the threatening effect to micro- environment and human health.