Ambient Air Quality & Noise Level Monitoring of Different Areas of Lahore (Pakistan) and Its Health Impacts

The present study assesses ambient air quality in terms of the gaseous pollutants sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), total suspended particulates (TSP), and noise levels at four busy road intersections, along with their associated residential areas in Lahore, Pakistan. A dense transport system and extensive industry are major causes of serious damage to the urban environment and human health in Lahore. Air and noise monitoring was conducted in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings for 3 consecutive days of a month for a period of 8 months. Results showed that average concentrations of SO2 at study sites throughout the monitoring cycle were in the range of 0.005 ppm to 0.062 ppm, while average NO concentrations varied between 0.5 ppm and 1.34 ppm. CO concentrations were recorded between 9.5 ppm and 16.75 ppm, whereas the average concentrations of TSP ranged 622-1046 mu g/m(3). The average noise levels ranged from 67.2 dB to 120.1 dB. Moreover, a questionnaire survey carried out to examine the health impacts of pollutants on potential receivers such as workers, laborers, shop-keepers, nearby residents, and traffic wardens showed the existence of various diseases among respondents due to deteriorating air quality and elevated noise levels.