Pak. j. sci. ind. res. Ser. A: phys. sci.

2018 61A(2) 106-114

A Study of Ambient Air Quality Status in Karachi,

By Applying Air Quality Index (AQI)
Durdana Rais Hashmi*, Akhtar Shareef and Razia Begum
Centre for Environmental Studies, PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Karachi-75280, Pakistan

(received October 10, 2017; revised February 23, 2018; accepted March 8, 2018)

Abstract. Present study was carried out to determine the concentration of ambient air quality in terms of
atmospheric trace gases and air born particulate matter (PM10) at 20 different locations on the busy roads
in the commercial, residential and industrial areas of Karachi city. Concentrations of trace gases and
particulate matter were used to calculate the results in terms of air quality index (AQI). At each selected
location the assessment was carried out to estimate the concentrations of trace gases and particulate matter
for a period of 8 h during January - November, 2015. Samples were collected at twenty selected locations
i.e., Jail Road (R-1), Gulberg chowrangi (R-2), Gulshan-e-Iqbal (R-3), PECHS Society (R-4) and Model
Colony (R-5) in residential areas, paramount ground, Landhi (I-1W), Abbott, Landhi (I-2W), Lucky Textile,
Landhi (I-3W), Naurus G belt, SITE (I-4E), Siemens G. belt, SITE (I-5E), Manghopir, SITE (I-6E), Singer
chowrangi, KIA (I-7W), Chamra chowrangi, KIA (I-8W) and Korangi #2 (I-9W) Port Qasim (1-10) in
industrial areas, Hasan Square (C-1), Liaquatabad (C-2), Garden (C-3), Gulistan-e-Johar (C-4) and NIPA
chowrangi (C-5) in commercial areas of the city. Results were used to analyse the concentrations of the
pollutants for air quality index (AQI). Air quality index is a single number to measure the quality of air
with respect to its effects on the human being. Results received from different air quality categories were
calculated according to national ambient air quality standard at selected locations, as residential areas
Gulshan-e-Iqbal (R-3) and PECHS Society (R-4) found the AQI under good category with respect to the
trace gases and moderate for the PM10 pollution, having low traffic density, Gulberg chowrangi (R-2) and
Model Colony (R-5) presents moderate AQI category for trace gases and PM10 with moderate traffic
density, whereas Jail Road (R-1) found under moderate pollution category for trace gases and unhealthy
level for PM10 due to high traffic flow. In industrial areas Singer chowrangi (I-7W), Chamrah chowrangi
(I-8W) and Korangi #2 (I-9W) found under moderate pollution AQI values with moderate traffic density,
Paramount ground (I-1W), Abbott (I-2W) and Lucky Textile (I-3W) found unhealthy AQI category pollution
due to high traffic congestion whereas, Naurus G. belt (I-4E), Siemens G. belt (I-5E) and Manghopir
(I-6E) locations are represented by moderate pollution AQI values for trace gases and found under poor
pollution level for PM10 pollution, may be due to industrial emissions and heavy vehicular emission. In
commercial areas as Hasan Square (C-1), Gulistan-e-Johar (C-4) and NIPA (C-5) having moderate AQI
pollution level for trace gases and unhealthy PM10 level of pollution, may be due to high traffic density,
whereas Liaquatabad (C-2) and Garden (C-3) locations found under poor and unhealthy pollution AQI
category. These locations are situated in extremely overcrowded commercial areas having very high traffic
density and commercial activities.
Keywords: ambient air quality, trace gases, particulate matter, air quality index

Introduction unplanned urbanization, rapid growth of population,

Air pollution is a global hazards and has immense open burning of waste and vehicular emission due to
effects on human health, metrology, climatic changes poor transportation system. Many decade scientist and
and ecosystem. In developing countries modernization researchers have provided undeniable data that the
and industrialization increases the use of fossil fuel in emission and deposition of air pollutants damage the
many ways and producing environmental damages life and quality of plants and animals, quality of water,
especially in rapidly growing megacities. These days degraded the soil, productivity of forest and hazards
air pollution is well-known to be significantly aggravated for human health. It becomes an important environmental
by infectious atmospheric trace gases, liquid droplets risk factor for cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular
and suspended solid particles (Kaldellis et al., 2012). diseases. High particulate matter pollution is one of the
In Pakistan ambient air quality has increasingly deterio- most important issue in urban cities, not only affects
rated due to anthropogenic sources like industrialization, the status of cultural heritages but produce severe health
*Author for correspondence: E-mail: [email protected] hazards particularly pulmonary disorders because it can

106
Air Quality Index Study in Karachi 107

penetrate deep into the lungs and cause pulmonary location during a certain moni-toring period (e.g., 1, 8
disorder (Pal et al., 2014). Besides particulate matter, or 24 h) due to the concentration of human activities
literature also suggests that there is a strong relationship that occur in cities. The main aim of AQI calculation
between higher concentrations of SO2, NO2 and CO is to aware the public about the risk of pollution level
that may exaggerate several health effects (Faustini day to day and to prepare for precautionary measurement
et al., 2014). and to regulate the safety measures for health hazards.
Generally it is related with the pollutants range and
The most common air pollutants in the urban environ-
category described as good, moderate, poor or hazardous
ment are gaseous pollutants as sulphur dioxide (SO2),
in order to understand the meaning of AQI easily. In a
nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2 collectively represented
simple way AQI shows that ambient air is how much
as NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), suspended
polluted and what are the health hazards for the citizens
particulate matter (SPM), methane and non methane
(Kanchan et al., 2015). Air quality Index is the number
hydrocarbons.
used by the agencies to communicate to the public that
Gaseous pollutants mainly effects on human health. how polluted the air is or how polluted it will become
These pollutants are responsible for changing the ((USEPA, 2014), for an effective ambient air quality
atmospheric chemistry and cause environmental damage. monitoring, meteorological data of an area should also
SO2 and NO2 produce acids by diverse type of chemical be recorded. Some of the similar studies in the field of
reactions in the environment and deposited on the ambient air quality monitoring and AQI study are
surface of sea and earth. Increasing concentration of reported by Sahoo et al. (2017) and Dash and Dash
SO2, NO2 and CO in the atmosphere are also responsible (2015a; 2015b).
for global climate change. Several researches pay United State Environmental Protection Agency (US-
attention on particulate matter (PM) pollution due to EPA) concerning the calculation of AQI for five “criteria
their perilous health hazards, particularly fine particulate pollutants” (CO, SO2, NO2, MP and O3) and set National
matter. A number of epidemiological studies found Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in writer for
strong association of inhalable particulate (PM10) and these pollutants against the risk of pollution on human
increased risk in mortality and morbidity (Sicard et al., health and environment (USEPA, 2012).
2011; Brook et al., 2010).
The aim of this study was to determine the level of
In the atmospheric air particulate matter pollution it atmospheric trace gases such as sulphur dioxide (SO2),
mainly depends on the size of particle as micron and carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and
sub-micron particles emitted by anthropogenic activities particulate matter (PM) in the environment of Karachi
(industrialization, unplanned urbanization, rapid growth city with reference to air quality index (AQI) for the
of population, open burning of waste and vehicular year of 2015. This AQI study explained the range of
emission) and natural sources (plants’ photosynthesis, air quality and its relation to health hazards to provide
forest fires, volcanic eruptions etc.) (Park and Kim, awareness in the nation.
2005). Increasing concentration of fine particulate
pollution in the atmosphere has become one of the most Materials and Methods
important issues in urban cities paying attention to the
Study area. Karachi lies between 24°45' N in longitude
researchers due to its health hazards and cultural heritage
and 66°37' E in latitude covered 3,640 km² area along
(IPCC, 2001). Severe health hazards of particulate
the coast of the Arabian Sea. Estimated population of
pollution include cardiopulmonary diseases.
the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan, Karachi was
As air pollution is one of the major problems of modern counted over 23.5 million people, reported in 2013 and
day societies, especially in urban areas. In order to control stand as the 2nd largest city in the world. The climate
the intensity of air pollution and to avoid hazardous of Karachi is moderately temperate with a high relative
effects on human being and environment, scientist use humidity 58% in December (the driest month) to 85%
mathematical models in order to define the overall status in August (the wettest month). Whereas, the average
of the air quality in the area under investigation. Air temperature is about 21 °C in winter and reaches up to
quality index (AQI), a scale to show or characterize the 35 °C in summer. The average rain fall amounts to
degree of ambient air pollution at a particular monitoring about 256 mm in Karachi (Sajjad et al., 2010).
108 Durdana Rais Hashmi et al.

Location Map for study area

Karachi is a sea shore and a busy port encountering Ambient air monitoring. Sampling. Sampling was
both the sea and land breeze periodically. It is congested carried out at twenty different locations consisting of
with a large number of motor vehicles, including both main roads, side roads, round abouts, and open places
public and private transportation. It has also a well along the busy roads of Karachi from January to
defined industrial base, such as Sindh Industrial Trading November 2015 for gaseous pollutants and PM10.
Estate (SITE), Korangi industrial area (KIA), Landhi Selected locations were categorized as residential,
Industrial Trading Estate, Northern by-pass industrial commercial and industrial areas of the Karachi’s
area, Karachi Export Processing Zone, Bin Qasim and environment.
North Karachi industrial estate, located in the boundary
Monitoring of gaseous pollutants were carried out by
of the city (Sajjad et al., 2010), there are about 20,000
UV fluorescent SO2 analyzer model AF22 M, NO-NOx
small and large industrial units working in these
analyzer model, AC 32M and Snifit CO analyzer
industrial areas of Karachi city. Main industries are
(Model 50). These analyzers are considered as reliable
textiles, pharmaceuticals, steel, and auto-mobiles.
for monitoring the pollution level.
People migrate from the outlying region due to the
abundant employment and business opportunities in PM10 samples were collected on glass fibre filters
the city. Vehicular emission, biomass, burning for (203×254 mm) by using high volume air sampler with
cooking and brick kilns and industrial emissions around an average flow rate of 1.0 m3/min. Eight hour average
the Karachi city are the main contributors of atmos- sampling was done in duplicate at each location during
pheric pollution in Karachi. the year 2015. This instrument is reliable to measure
Air Quality Index Study in Karachi 109

the mass concentration of particulate matter in the universally known UV fluorescent principle consists
atmospheric air (USEPA—Method 40 CFR). in detecting the characteristic fluorescence radiation
emitted by SO2 molecules. In the presence of a specific
The sampling locations were chosen to reflect the
wavelength of UV light (214 nm) the SO2 molecules
influences from residential, commercial, industrial areas
reach temporary excited electronic state. The subsequent
regarding the low, moderate and heavy traffic sources.
relaxation produces a florescence radiation which is
Eight hour average sampling was done in duplicate at
measured by a non-cooled photomultiplier tube (PM).
each location during the year 2015. Features of air
quality stations are presented in Table 1. NO-NOx analyzer model AC 32M. The Chemilumi-
Monitoring of trace gases. CO Gas analyzer (Model nescent NO-NO2-NOX analyzer, model AC32M, capable
50). Snifit CO analyzer (Model 50) was used to measure of measuring nitrogen oxides at ppb levels was applied
the concentration of carbon monoxide. This is an ideal for nitrogen oxides measurement. Chemiluminescence
analyzer for measuring the carbon monoxide in ambient corresponds to an oxidation of NO molecules by O3
air and the results are shown in ppm. For measuring molecules. The return to a fundamental electronic state
the CO in surrounding air, meter was kept at about of the excited NO2 molecules is made by luminous
1.2 m height above the ground level. At each selected radiation, detected by the PM tube. The model AC32M
locations, CO in the ambient air was collected at an is a state-of-the-art single chamber – single photomulti-
interval of 02 min and a set of various readings was plier tube design which automatically cycles between
noted to analyze the results. the NO and NOX modes.

UV fluorescent SO2 analyzer model AF22 M. AF22M, PM10 mass concentration. In addition to the determi-
sulphur dioxide analyzer capable of measuring sulphur nation of elemental concentrations, airborne particle
dioxide at ppb level. Applied to SO2 measurement, the masses of PM10 samples were calculated by using

Table 1. Descriptive features of the sampling locations during the study period in Karachi
Locations Code # Status of the sites

Jail Road R-1 Residential area with high traffic

Gulberg chowrangi R-2 Residential area with moderate traffic
Gulshan-e-Iqbal R-3 Residential area with low traffic
PECHS Society R-4 Residential area with low traffic
Model Colony R-5 Residential area with moderate traffic
Paramount ground, Landhi I-1W Industrial / residential area with high traffic
Abbott Laboratories, Landhi I-2W Industrial / residential area with high traffic
Lucky Textile, Landhi I-3W Industrial / residential area with high traffic
Naurus G. belt, SITE I-4E Industrial / commercial area with high traffic
Siemens G. belt, SITE I-5E Industrial / residential area with high traffic
Manghopir Road, SITE I-6E Industrial area with high traffic
Singer chowrangi, KIA I-7W Industrial area with moderate traffic
Chamra chowrangi , KIA I-8W Industrial area with moderate traffic
Korangi # 2 I-9W Industrial area with moderate traffic
Port Qasim I-10 Industrial area with low traffic
Hasan Square C-1 Commercial / residential area with moderate traffic
Liaquatabad C-2 Commercial / residential area with high traffic
Garden C-3 Commercial / residential area with high traffic
Gulistan-e-Johar C-4 Commercial / residential area with moderate traffic
NIPA chowrangi C-5 Commercial / residential area with moderate traffic
110 Durdana Rais Hashmi et al.

analytical balance (KERN, ALS 220-4). The filter papers AQI value for each location, higher the AQI value,
were weighed under controlled conditions of meteorolo- higher the level of air pollution that describe the
gical parameters (humidity and temperature) before and associated health hazards to the citizens.
after collection of particulate matter. Weights for the
Table 2 shows the air quality index with the category
blank filters were also recorded. Before weighing, all
of health risk. The air quality index zero to fifty is good
filter papers (glass fibre filter paper) were left for
for human health and indicate clean air, 50 to 100
24 h in desiccators to equilibrate their humidity and indicate moderate air quality, 101 to 150 point toward
temperature conditions. The collected particulate mass unhealthy for sensitive group, 151 to 200 express
was calculated by weighing the pre and post–weight unhealthy for all people, 201 to 300 very unhealthy,
difference of the filters. 301 to 500 hazardous and > 500 indicates severe
Air quality index (AQI). In this study AQI has been hazardous and very critical (Table 2) (USEPA, 2012;
calculated with reference to the concentration of Gurjar et al., 2008).
particulate pollution proposed by USEPA (2012). These
AQI values predict, evaluate and explained the air Results and Discussion
quality status and health concerns at the selected sites. Evaluation of particulate matter and trace gases
As the air pollution increases, adverse health effect also concentrations, were carried out on the basis of PM10
increases. size fractions at the selected twenty locations in
Following equation was used to calculate the AQI values Karachi, from January to November 2015. The sites
by using the pollutant concentration data. were Jail Road (R-1), Gulberg chowrangi (R-2),
Gulshan-e-Iqbal (R-3), PECHS Society (R-4) and
IHi – ILo Model Colony (R-5) in residential areas, Paramount
Ip = ____________ (Cp - BPLo) + ILo
BPHi BPLo ground (I-1W), Abbott (I-2W), Lucky Textile (I-3W),
Naurus G. belt (I-4E), Siemens G. belt (I-5E),
where:
Manghopir (I-6E), Singer chowrangi (I-7W), Chamra
Ip = Index for pollutant p; Cp = Rounded concentration chowrangi (I-8W) and Korangi #2 (I-9W) Port Qasim
of pollutant p; BPHi = Breakpoint that is greater than or (1-10) in industrial areas, Hasan Square (C-1), Liaquat-
equal to Cp; BPLo = Breakpoint that is less than or equal abad (C-2), Garden (C-3), Gulistan-e-Johar (C-4) and
to Cp; IHi = AQI value corresponding to BPHi; ILo = AQI NIPA (C-5) in commercial areas of Karachi.
value corresponding to BPLo.
Table 1 shows the descriptions of the sampling sites.
After compiling the data, the concentrations of SO2, The recorded results varied between residential, industrial
NO2, CO and PM10 pollutant were converted into an and commercial areas of Karachi.

Table 3 depicted the statistics (mean, median, st.dev,

maximum and minimum values) of measured trace
Table 2. AQI criteria and quality category
gases and PM10 concentration in different air monitoring
AQI AQI category Colour show areas during the study period. The highest mean concen-
the category trations of particulate matter and trace infectious gases
0 - 50 Good were recorded in commercial and industrial areas and
51 - 100 Moderate graphically represented in Fig. 1-4, respectively.
101 - 150 Unhealthy for sensitive
151 - 200 Poor/Unhealthy Table 4 shows the ambient AQI values that has been
201 - 300 Very poor/very unhealthy calculated with the recorded pollutant concentration
301 - 400 Hazardous data of the selected sampling locations, showing the
401 - 500 Very hazardous degree/intensity of ambient air pollution category at
>500 Very critical monitoring locations during a certain monitoring
USEPA 150 period (e.g., 1, 8 or 24 h) due to its surrounding metro-
standard logy and human activities and its relation to health
Source: USEPA 2012; Gurjar et al. (2008). hazards.
Air Quality Index Study in Karachi 111

Trace gases. Atmospheric trace gases (SO2, NO2 and location. The sampling time was 8 h for SO2, NO2 and
CO) were measured at twenty selected locations in 1 h for CO. The samples were collected by analyzers
Karachi during the period of January to November designed and fabricated by environmental S.A.,
2015. Samples were collected twice in a month at each France.
The total average concentrations of SO2 at twenty
Table 3. Statistical values of the pollutants during the selected locations in Karachi was found 46.0 mg/m3 and
study period in Karachi under the limit of annual World Health Organization
Pollutants PM10 SO2 CO NO2
mg/m3
80.0
Residential areas
70.0
Mean 141.4 32.0 2.7 73.6

Conc. of SO2 in mg/m 3

Median 130.0 30.0 3.0 68.0 60.0
St. Dev 5.9 1.3 0.3 0.8
Max 192.0 40.0 0.5 106.0 50.0
Min 117.0 25.0 0.1 54.0
40.0
Industrial areas
Mean 161.4 39.4 3.2 79.8 30.0
Median 210.0 46.0 3.6 89.0 20.0
St. Dev 4.7 2.0 0.3 1.1
Max 298.0 76.0 5.1 141.0 10.0
Min 81.0 29.0 2.3 59.0
0.0
Commercial areas 0 5 10 15 20 25
Mean 256.8 56.8 4.6 106.0 Locations
Median 278.0 58.0 4.3 100 SO2
St. Dev 4.1 2.2 0.4 1.3
Max 319.0 72.0 4.1 136.0
Min 151.0 50.0 3.7 82.0 Fig. 1. Concentration of SO2 at selected locations
in Karachi.

Table 4. Air quality index (AQI) and air quality category at selected locations in Karachi city
Locations Code # Values Category Values Category Values Category Values Category
PM10 SO2 CO NO2
Jail Road R-1 119.0 Unhealthy 56.0 Moderate 43.0 Good 102.0 Unhealthy
Gulberg chowrangi R-2 98.0 Moderate 54.0 Moderate 40.0 Good 78.0 Moderate
Gulshan-e-Iqbal R-3 78.0 Moderate 43.0 Good 25.0 Good 66.0 Moderate
PECHS Society R-4 88.0 Moderate 36.0 Good 17.0 Good 58.0 Moderate
Model Colony R-5 82.0 Moderate 41.0 Good 34.0 Good 51.0 Moderate
Paramount ground, Landhi I-1W 126.0 Unhealthy 59.0 Moderate 51.0 Moderate 81.0 Moderate
Abbott Laboratoy, Landhi I-2W 130.0 Unhealthy 72.0 Moderate 39.0 Good 101.0 Unhealthy
Lucky Textile, Landhi I-3W 148.0 Unhealthy 69.0 Moderate 41.0 Good 102.0 Unhealthy
Naurus G. belt, SITE I-4E 169.0 Poor 101.0 Unhealthy 53.0 Moderate 103.0 Unhealthy
Siemens G. belt, SITE I-5E 172.0 Poor 76.0 Moderate 57.0 Moderate 109.0 Unhealthy
Manghopir, SITE I-6E 167.0 Poor 65.0 Moderate 43.0 Good 90.0 Moderate
Singer chowrangi, KIA I-7W 100.0 Moderate 59.0 Moderate 39.0 Good 81.0 Moderate
Chamra chowrangi, KIA I-8W 98.0 Moderate 62.0 Moderate 41.0 Good 86.0 Moderate
Korangi #2, KIA I-9W 91.0 Moderate 49.0 Good 34.0 Good 79.0 Moderate
Port Qasim I-10 64.0 Moderate 41.0 Good 26.0 Good 56.0 Moderate
Hasan Square C-1 162.0 Poor 79.0 Moderate 49.0 Good 100.0 Moderate
Liaquatabad C-2 168.0 Poor 82.0 Moderate 59.0 Moderate 105.0 Unhealthy
Garden C-3 183.0 Poor 96.0 Moderate 64.0 Moderate 108.0 Unhealthy
Gulistan-e-Johar C-4 147.0 Unhealthy 60.0 Moderate 47.0 Good 88.0 Moderate
NIPA C-5 98.2 Moderate 69.0 Moderate 42.0 Good 81.0 Moderate
112 Durdana Rais Hashmi et al.

(WHO) guideline values for the European Union (WHO more than double of the annual guideline value of
2000: 50 mg/m3). Total duration of sampling in this WHO, 2005(40 mg/m3). The NO2 concentration in the
study was 11 months (twice a month, 8 h for SO2 and atmospheric environment enters from both natural
NO2, 1 h for CO). The highest concentration (76.0 and and anthropogenic sources. The major anthropogenic
72.0 mg/m 3 ) of SO 2 found in the industrial and source of NO2 emission is fossil fuel combustion in
commercial areas at location I-4E and C-3, whereas the vehicles and industries. The highest concentration of
lowest concentration (25.0 mg/m3) in residential area at NO2 (141.0 mg/m3) was found in industrial area, at
location R-4, respectively (Fig. 1). The main source of location I-5E with high traffic density and industrial
SO2 emission in the city center is the combustion of emission, whereas, the lowest concentration (54.0 mg/m3)
fossil fuel in automobile and industrial sectors. found at location R-5 in purely residential area
(Fig. 2).
The total average concentration of NO2 at the selected
locations in Karachi was found 92.0 mg/m3, which is The measured CO values varied between 1.5 to 5.8
mg/m3 in residential, industrial and commercial areas.
The maximum concentration (5.8, 5.3 and 5.1 mg/m3)
160.0 of CO was measured at the commercial and industrial
locations C-2, C-3 and I-5, whereas the lowest concen-
140.0
tration (1.5 mg/m 3 ) was found at location R-4 in
120.0 residential area. The high concentration of CO in
Conc. of NO2 in mg/m 3

100.0 commercial and industrial areas probably due to the

incomplete combustion of fossil fuel in faulty vehicles
80.0
and due to different mechanical and industrial
60.0 combustion. However, the total average value of CO
40.0 (11 months at these twenty sampling locations) in
20.0
Karachi was 3.7 mg/m3 (1-h sampling time) (Fig. 3)
which is under the WHO guidelins.
0.0
0 5 10 15 20 25 PM10 concentrations. The distribution parameters for
Locations PM10 for residential, industrial and commercial areas
NO2
varied from 117.0 to 319.0 mg/m3, for residential areas
Fig. 2. Concentration of NO2 at selected locations 117.0 to 192.0 mg/m3, for industrial areas 136.0 to 298.0
in Karachi. mg/m3 and for commercial areas 151.0 to 319.0 mg/m3,

6.0 350.0

300.0
5.0
Conc. of PM10 in mg/m 3
Conc. of CO in mg/m 3

250.0
4.0
200.0
3.0
150.0
2.0 100.0

1.0 50.0

0.0 0.0
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20 25
Locations Locations
CO PM10

Fig. 3. Concentration of CO at selected locations Fig. 4. Concentration of PM10 at selected locations

in Karachi. in Karachi.
Air Quality Index Study in Karachi 113

respectively. In residential areas PM10 concentrations standard limit at all the locations with un-controlled
were higher at locations R-1 (192.0 mg/m3) having high emission from transport vehicles. The concentration of
traffic density and producing emission due to vehicular gaseous pollutants was observed to be within permissible
emission and different commercial activities, In Industrial limits at all the selected locations. Results of the
areas PM10 concentrations were higher at locations I- calculation of AQI values for trace gases (SO2, CO and
5E (298.0 mg/m3) and receiving higher emissions due NO2) at the sampling locations show good and moderate
to industrial and vehicular emission, whereas in pollution in residential areas whereas moderate or
commercial areas PM10 concentrations were higher at unhealthy pollution found at commercial and industrial
location C-3(319.0 mg/m3). This location was surrounded locations.
by roundabouts having automobile repairing shops,
unplanned rickshaws stand, and traffic jams due to Conclusion
narrow and congested roads and they are receiving Atmospheric pollution at twenty selected locations in
higher emissions due to vehicles and commercial Karachi, Pakistan, was characterized in terms of trace
activities. Overall mean concentration of PM10 at various gases and PM. The average concentration of SO2 and
locations of residential, industrial and commercial areas NO2 at the selected sampling locations in Karachi are
was 202.4 mg/m3 for Karachi region (Fig. 4). The PM10 higher than the annual average of WHO guidelines,
in Karachi mostly emitted from vehicular and industrial may be due to the high content of sulphur in fossil fuel
combustion producing fine fraction, which produces and heavy traffic density whereas concentration of CO
severe health hazards particularly pulmonary disorder. is lower than WHO guideline values. Overall mean
It can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause pulmonary concentration of PM10 at various locations of residential,
disorder. industrial and commercial areas was 202.4 mg/m3 for
In general, the average trace gases and PM10 concen- Karachi region. Elevated concentrations of PM were
trations were higher in commercial and industrial areas observed in Karachi city, but these were still lower than
with high traffic density than the residential areas. Most most of the southeast Asian cities.
of the commercial and industrial areas having trace It can be concluded from this study that the concentration
gases and PM10 concentrations exceeded the specified of atmospheric pollutant in the environment shows
permissible limits by USEPA (2012). deterioration of air quality in the city. Observed values
The ambient AQI values have been calculated with the exceeding the permissible limits in commercial and
recorded pollutant concentration data of the selected industrial areas and in that residential areas having both
sampling locations presented in Table 4. commercial and residential status of the city. The main
source of the pollution appears to be transportation due
The calculated AQI values of PM10 at the selected to congestion and fossil fuel emission.
locations vary between a maximum of 183.0 and a
minimum of 64, respectively. Results of the calculation References
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