Assessment and Impacts of Air Pollution from Brick Kilns on Public Health in Northern Pakistan
Atmosphere
; 13(8):1231, 2022.
Article
in English
| ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2023116
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 µg/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.
Meteorology; air pollution; brick kiln industry; particulate matter; public health; social survey; Air quality; Developing countries; Atmospheric pollution; Carbon dioxide; Nitrogen dioxide; Health; Ammonia; Questionnaires; Sampling; Air pollution control; Developing countries--LDCs; Environmental quality; Industrial plant emissions; COVID-19; Respiratory diseases; Environmental protection; Fossil fuels; Quality; Asthma; Health risk assessment; Kilns; Quality standards; Pollutants; Health problems; Population; Emissions; Surveys; Community; Surveying; Chemical composition; Instruments; Outdoor air quality; Hydrogen sulfide; Particulate emissions; Age groups; Raw materials; Health risks; Suspended particulate matter; Pollution surveys; Data collection; Construction materials; Coal; Air pollution measurements; Respiratory disorders; Peshawar Pakistan; Pakistan
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
ProQuest Central
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
Language:
English
Journal:
Atmosphere
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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