Noise and ambient air pollution monitoring and its effects on local community in Faisalabad, Pakistan

Accepted 28^th November, 2013

Saima Aslam Bharwana¹, Shafaqat Ali¹*, Mujahid Farid¹, Mohsin Jamshaid², Muhammad Azeem², Muhammad Bilal Shakoor¹, Rehan Ahmad¹, Fakhir Hannan<sup>1

1</sup>Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University, 38000 Faisalabad, Pakistan
²Klimatic Environmental Consultant, CEES, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan.
Corresponding author e-mail:shafaqataligill@yahoo.com.
 

An ambient air and noise pollution survey was carried out at 10 sites in Faisalabad, Pakistan simultaneously from 1 h to 24 h average for 3 consecutive days in November 2009 which also included meteorological measurements. The monitoring sites were included the blend of industrial, commercial, residential and heavy traffic roads with thick population trend. Major pollutants analyzed were carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), total suspended particulates (TSP), particulate matter (PM10) and noise level. Carbon monoxide levels in the ambient air were found to reach 0.8–10 ppm in 1 h monitoring and for 24 h average was 7 ppm. Our survey indicates that NO2 levels were exceeding (21–66 ppb) during the daytime for 1 h and maximum concentration was 40-60 ppb for 24 h average. The range of SO2Concentration was from 14-62 ppb in 1 h reading and it was in limits for 24 h average. The values of TSP and PM10 were exceeding the limit in 1 h and 24 h averages. The maximum concentration of TSP was found 1822 μg/m3 in 1 h and 392-1235 μg/m3 for 24 h averages. The PM10 was exceeding the limits and reached to 824 μg/m3 in 1 h and 305-534 μg/m3 for 24 h average at all monitoring sites. Noise levels were within the permissible limits at all sites in 1 h and 24 h average. To manage and improve ambient air quality within the city, the basic strategies are: establishment of ambient air quality objectives and criteria for assessment of air quality, and promote increased level of cooperation among the population of this city in reducing pollution load.

Key words: Air Pollutants- Ambient Air Quality-Noise Pollution- Particulate Matter-Total suspended Matter.

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