Assessment and Impacts of Air Pollution from Brick Kilns on Public Health in Northern Pakistan
Authors:Subhanullah, Muhammad Ullah, Siddique Javed, Muhammad Faisal Ullah, Rafi Akbar, Tahir Ali Ullah, Waheed Baig, Shams Ali Aziz, Mubashir Mohamed, Abdullah Sajjad, Raja Umer
Volume:13
Published:2022
Document Type:Article
Abstract:Brick kilns add enormous quantities of organic pollutants to the air that can cause serious health issues, especially in developing countries; poor air quality is associated with community health problems, yet receives no attention in Northern Pakistan. The present study, therefore, assessed the chemical composition and investigated the impacts of air pollution from brick kilns on public health. A field-based investigation of air pollutants, i.e., PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, CO2, CO, NO, NO2, H2S, and NH3 using mobile scientific instruments was conducted in selected study area locations. Social surveys were conducted to investigate the impacts of air pollution on community health. The results reveal the highest concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, i.e., 3377, 2305, and 3567.67 mu g/m3, respectively, in specific locations. Particulate matter concentrations in sampling points exceeded the permissible limits of the Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standard and, therefore, may risk the local population's health. The highest mean value of CO2 was 529 mg/L, and other parameters, such as CO, NO, NO2, H2S, and NH3 were within the normal range. The social survey's findings reveal that particulate matter was directly associated with respiratory diseases such as asthma, which was reported in all age groups selected for sampling. The study concluded by implementing air pollution reduction measures in brick kiln industries to protect the environment and community health. In addition, the region's environmental protection agency needs to play an active role in proper checking and integrated management to improve air quality and protect the community from air hazards.
Author Information
Corresponding Author:Baig, SA (通讯作者)，Abdul Wali Khan Univ, Dept Environm Sci, Mardan 23200, Pakistan.;Ullah, W (通讯作者)，COMSATS Univ Islamabad, Dept Environm Sci, Abbottabad Campus,Tobe Camp Univ Rd, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan.
Reprint Address:Baig, SA (通讯作者)，Abdul Wali Khan Univ, Dept Environm Sci, Mardan 23200, Pakistan.;Ullah, W (通讯作者)，COMSATS Univ Islamabad, Dept Environm Sci, Abbottabad Campus,Tobe Camp Univ Rd, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan.
Addresses:[Subhanullah, Muhammad; Baig, Shams Ali] Abdul Wali Khan Univ, Dept Environm Sci, Mardan 23200, Pakistan; [Javed, Muhammad Faisal; Akbar, Tahir Ali] COMSATS Univ Islamabad CUI, Dept Civil Engn, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan; [Ullah, Rafi] Univ Malakand, Dept Bot, Chakdara 18800, Pakistan; [Ullah, Waheed] COMSATS Univ Islamabad, Dept Environm Sci, Abbottabad Campus,Tobe Camp Univ Rd, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan; [Aziz, Mubashir] King Fahd Univ Petr & Minerals, Dept Civil & Environm Engn, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; [Aziz, Mubashir] King Fahd Univ Petr & Minerals, Interdisciplinary Res Ctr Construct & Bldg Mat, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; [Mohamed, Abdullah] Future Univ Egypt, Res Ctr, New Cairo 11835, Egypt; [Sajjad, Raja Umer] Hazara Univ, Dept Earth & Environm Sci, Mansehra 21120, Pakistan
E-mail Addresses:subhanenv92@gmail.com; siddiqueullah@cuiatd.edu.pk; arbabfaisal@cuiatd.edu.pk; rafi.botany@uom.edu.pk; drtahir@cuiatd.edu.pk; sp19-r67-002@cuiatd.edu.pk; drbaig@awkum.edu.pk; mubashir.aziz@kfupm.edu.sa; mohamed.a@fue.edu.eg; drumer@hu.edu.pk