Air pollution we breathe: Assessing the air quality and human health impact in a megacity of Southeast Asia
Document Type
Article
Department
Community Health Sciences
Abstract
With 24 million inhabitants and 6.6 million vehicles on the roads, Karachi, Pakistan ranks among the world's most polluted cities due to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This study aims to investigate PM2.5 mass, seasonal and temporal variability, chemical characterization, source apportionment, and health risk assessment at two urban sites in Karachi. Samples were analyzed using ion chromatography and dual-wavelength optical transmissometer for various inorganic components (anions, cations, and trace elements) and black carbon (BC). Several PM2.5 pollution episodes were frequently observed, with annual mean concentrations at Kemari (140 ± 179 μg/m3) and Malir (95 ± 40.9 μg/m3) being significantly above the World Health Organization's guidelines of 5 μg/m3. Chemical composition at both sites exhibited seasonal variability, with higher pollution levels in winter and fall and lower concentrations in summer. The annual average BC concentrations were 4.86 ± 5.29 μg/m3 and 4.52 ± 3.68 μg/m3, respectively. A Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis identified 5 factors, crustal, sea salt, vehicular exhaust, fossil-fuel combustion, and industrial emission. The health risk assessment indicated a higher number of deaths in colder seasons (fall and winter) at the Kemari (328,794 and 287,814) and Malir (228,406 and 165,737) sites and potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks to children from metals. The non-carcinogenic risk of PM2.5 bound Pb, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu and Ni via inhalation exposure were within the acceptable level (<1) for adults. However, potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk posed by Pb and Cr through inhalation were observed for children. The findings exhibit critical levels of air pollution that exceed the safe limits in Karachi, posing significant health risks to children and sensitive groups. Our study underscores the urgent need for effective emission control strategies and policy interventions to mitigate these air pollution risks.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Science of The Total Environment
DOI
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173403
Recommended Citation
Sannoh, F.,
Fatmi, Z.,
Carpenter, D. O.,
Santoso, M.,
Siddique, A.,
Khan, K.,
Zeb, J.,
Hussain, M. M.,
Khwaja, H. A.
(2024). Air pollution we breathe: Assessing the air quality and human health impact in a megacity of Southeast Asia. Science of The Total Environment.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_chs_chs/1160
Comments
Volume, issue and pagination are not provided by author/publisher.