AIR QUALITY (PARTICULATE MATTER) AT HEAVY TRAFFIC SITES IN LAHORE,
PAKISTAN, Z. Ali A. R. Rasheed, S. Sidra, Z. A. Nasir, I. Colbeck
PAKISTAN1*, 11, 42, 3 3 Z. Ali A. R. Rasheed, S. Sidra, Z. A. Nasir, I. Colbeck
1 Environmental Health & Wildlife, Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
2 School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
3 School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
4 Wildlife & Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Published Online First:
June 01, 2015
Publication Date:
June 01, 2015
ABSTRACT
The transport sector is a major contributor towards air pollution, particularly in the urban areas. Air quality at two major heavy traffic roads of Lahore, Pakistan was evaluated. Particulate matter (PM) was monitored for twenty four hours at each sampling sites. The total number of vehicles passing was also noted and correlated with the PM levels. The vehicular congestion as well as meteorological factors had a positive association with the PM levels. PM concentrations were significantly higher than the WHO recommended levels. It is necessary to control emissions from vehicular exhaust to reduce the level of pollutants in the ambient air in urban areas. figures, the total number of registered vehicles in the
Keywords:
Particulate matter, CO, vehicular traffic, heavy traffic roads, Lahore, Pakistan