Environmental Engineering II

Assignment No: 04

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 CURRENT SCENARIO ..................................................................................................................................... 3 ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN URBAN PAKISTAN ........................................................................... 3 Industrialization related .................................................................................................................. 3 Transport related ............................................................................................................................. 4 Poverty related ................................................................................................................................. 4 EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH ...................................................................................................................... 4 ROLE OF EPA ................................................................................................................................................. 5 STEPS TO BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN ......................................................................... 5 SUGGESTIONS TO BE APPLIED AT AUTHORITATIVE LEVELS ..................................................................... 6 PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................................................................................ 6 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................................. 8

Submitted by: Syed Saqib Mehboob (06-CE-50)

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Environmental Engineering II ABSTRACT

Assignment No: 04

The current study illustrates how imperative it is to improve air quality in densely populated urban areas, where human exposure is high due to increased pollutant concentrations. Action is currently being considered at higher level to warfare the particulate matter.

Submitted by: Syed Saqib Mehboob (06-CE-50)

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Environmental Engineering II CURRENT SCENARIO

Assignment No: 04

Like most developing countries, Pakistan faces multitude of environmental problems. Industrial pollution is increasing rapidly. Air quality is deteriorating because of unchecked industrial, as well as vehicular emissions. Unplanned urban developments are further damaging fragile ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN URBAN PAKISTAN.[Ref 1] Environmental Degradation in Urban Pakistan may be discussed under following heads: 1. Industrialization related 2. Transport related 3. Poverty related

1. INDUSTRIALIZATION RELATED Industries not only create jobs but also contribute to environmental degradation. In Pakistan, like other developing countries, industries are located in the major urban centers and much of the industrial waste is disposed of untreated. This waste might be the form of Solid Waste or Gaseous waste (Air pollution). But we will focus on air pollution causes only, in this report. Karachi, the biggest industrial site in Pakistan, is contributing significantly to pollution with highly toxic wastes being disposed off in the environment. The huge quantities of industrial waste, in the form of gases coming out of the chimneys of the industries, contain almost all types of pollutants. Even with lethal toxicity, are discharged in the atmosphere, thus putting the land life to great pollution stress. The Kasur, case of environmental degradation caused by the leather industry is worth mentioning since the affected area has been devastated environmentally. Industries in the Faisalabad discharge high levels of toxic gases, containing inorganic salts and organic metal particles, in to the air without any treatment.

Submitted by: Syed Saqib Mehboob (06-CE-50)

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Environmental Engineering II 2. TRANSPORT RELATED

Assignment No: 04

Vehicle emissions in urban areas of Pakistan are the major source of air pollution, particularly because of the use of Lead Fuel. Motor vehicle account for the 90% of the total emission of hydrocarbons, aldehydes and carbon monoxide in the cities and for three-fourths of the sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions Facts and Figures:[Ref 2] The average Pakistani vehicle emits 25% as much carbon monoxide, 20 times as many hydrocarbons and 3.6 times as much nitrogen oxide in grams per kilometer as the average vehicle in the United States. During the last few years, traffic in urban areas has increased tremendously due to increase in purchasing power and car loan facility provided by different banks. The number of the vehicles in Pakistan has swelled in recent years-from 680,000 in 1980 to 5.2 million in 2004 showing an overall increase of 635% (Government of Pakistan 2005). Since 1980, the maximum growth has been seen in 2stroke vehicles i.e., delivery vans which is 1751%, followed by Motor cycles 541% and Rickshaws 159%. Diesel Trucks and buses have also increased at alarming rate of 200-300% since 1980. Diesel vehicles due to overloading, faulty injection nozzles and weak engine emit excessive graphitic carbon (visible smoke).[Ref 3] 3. POVERTY RELATED Poverty and environment are closely related. Not only does poverty lead to environmental degradation but the converse is also true. The most obvious example of urban poor contribute to environmental degradation is in the use of energy for household consumption. The urban poor use traditional sources such as wood, charcoal, crop and animal waste for 80% of their energy consumption. Thus becoming a source of air pollution, as the smoke produced by the burning of the animal waste contains numerous hazardous substances. EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH Pollutants are known to be causative for many diseases, including cancer, lupus, immune diseases and asthma. Persistent adverse air quality above certain thresholds impacts mortality rates. Ozone pollution can cause sore throats, inflammation, chest pain and congestion. Skin irritations and rashes may arise

Submitted by: Syed Saqib Mehboob (06-CE-50)

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Environmental Engineering II

Assignment No: 04

when oil is spread in the local environment (oil spread means the oil suspended particles in the smoke of vehicles). Annual cost of Health Impacts of Ambient Particulate Air Pollution (Billion Rs)

ROLE OF EPA[Ref 4] Recently, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) carried out ambient air quality study in three major cities of Pakistan, namely Lahore; Rawalpindi; and Islamabad to assess pollution levels in traffic congested areas. The study revealed that the average suspended particulate matters in our cities were 6.4 times higher than WHO guidelines and 3.8 times higher than Japanese standards. The levels of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide were found in excess than standard acceptable standards in some areas. Pak-EPA has also launched the Environmental Monitoring System project with collaboration of Government of Japan. Capital cost of project is Rs. 1,089,10 million and main objectives of project are following: Provision of continuous air monitoring stations and mobile laboratories in six cities (Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Islamabad) Up-gradation of analytical laboratories in five EPAs Establishment of air and water surveillance

STEPS TO BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN The government realizing the issues of degradation of air quality has taken various steps for its improvement. Some significant measures taken in the recent years are:

Submitted by: Syed Saqib Mehboob (06-CE-50)

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Environmental Engineering II

Assignment No: 04

Establishment of motor vehicle emission standards and strengthening of motor vehicle Examination system in the country Constitution of Environmental Squads of traffic police at federal and provincial levels Due to incentive regime offered by the government, about 1.2 million petrol vehicles have so far been converted to CNG and a number of new CNG stations have setup in the country. Promotion of LPG and Bio fuel in the country Mass transit for major cities Implementation of industrial emission standards Green fund by Government of Punjab

SUGGESTIONS TO BE APPLIED AT AUTHORITATIVE LEVELS 1. The research laboratories in all big universities of the country should be established or laboratories already existed can be enhanced according to changing demands of the market oriented system. These laboratories should be responsible to estimate the environmental damages from different sources of pollution indentified by specialists. The damage done by each source of pollution will help to penalize the economic activities accordingly. 2. Another necessary component that needs to be pointed out is the availability of operational budget that should be reserved in sufficient amount for the work force and laboratories. 3. To minimize the burden of expenditure on Government or to save the public resources collected through taxes, the cost of different tests applied to determine the level of pollution by each vehicle will be shouldered by the owner. PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES: Individually and collectively we can take the following measures to improve air quality in our country: Keep our vehicles tuned up as far as possible and when required, get our vehicle repaired in time. A tuned up vehicle consumes less fuel while delayed maintenance means more cost. Rickshaw drivers should avoid mixing of excessive lubricant oil in petrol. They should choose good quality lubricating oil (Preferably 2T oil) for increasing life of the engine and low emission. Convert vehicle to compressed natural gas (CNG). Not only the operational cost of CNG is less but it generates less pollution. Plant trees and cover open spaces with grass.

Submitted by: Syed Saqib Mehboob (06-CE-50)

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Environmental Engineering II Take extra pre-cautions during construction to avoid generation of dust.

Assignment No: 04

Be friend of environment and motivate other people to care for the environment.

Submitted by: Syed Saqib Mehboob (06-CE-50)

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Environmental Engineering II REFERENCES:

Assignment No: 04

[Ref 1] Qutub, Syed Ayub, and Azharuddin Khan (1992) Environment and Sustainable Development. Final Report of the Sub-committee for the Eighth Five-Year Plan (1993 98). Islamabad. [Ref 2] The Pakistan development review, 32:4 part II (winter 1993) pp. 639-649 [Ref 3] Journal of Applied Sciences 6(15): 3134-3139, 2006 ISSN 1812-5654 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information [Ref 4] Journal of Applied Sciences 6(15): 3134-3139, 2006 ISSN 1812-5654 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Submitted by: Syed Saqib Mehboob (06-CE-50)

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