An Assessment of Air Quality within Facilities of Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) Sites in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

The pollutants emission during the process of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is of great concern due to its hazardous effect on the environment and living organisms. An assessment of the air quality of MSWM sites was made after having 16 repetitive visits at solid waste disposal sites and transfer stations of Lahore during wet and dry seasons. Pollution parameters such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and greenhouse gases (GHG) were measured along with meteorological parameters. PM2.5 measurement was made by using particle counter Dylos and TSI’s Dust Trak. Both of these instruments were positioned simultaneously at the source site and downwind (50 m). CH4 and meteorological parameters were measured by Aeroqual 500 series, while the Extech CO220 monitor was used to measure CO2 concentration. An assessment of air quality showed the levels of their mean values as CH4 and CO2 ranged between 1.5–13.7 ppm and 443.4–515.7 ppm, respectively. The PM2.5 ranged between 127.1 and 307.1 µg/m3 at sources and 172.3 and 403.8 µg/m3 downwind (50 m). GHG showed lower levels than the proposed limit value, which could not cause any health issues, while PM2.5 was 6–10 times higher than the Pak-EPA established standards. Higher pollutant concentration was recorded in the dry season than the wet season. Regression analysis was performed to predict correlation of PM2.5 with GHG and meteorological parameters. GHG as well as meteorological parameters also exhibited a correlation with PM2.5. It was estimated that the ambient air of such sites is not safe for public health. So, it is necessary to use safe practices for MSWM and its emission control to prevent nearby communities and the environment.

The relevancy-analysis of air quality index to Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) in A landfill site of Medan

“…Another report has also demonstrated similar medical disorders suffered by respondents in Sukawinatan OPLS due to a higher level of H2S compared to the NH3 level [4]. A disadvantage of OPLS not only occurs in Indonesia, but also in a few developing countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria [5][6][7][8][9]. The air-quality in OPLS area near the city of Bhubaneswar in India displayed a poor condition due to the presence of PM2.5 and PM10, also; the CO, SO2, and NOx incredibly contributed to the ambient air-quality in adequate effect.…”

“…Other factors that may contribute include source of pollutants, and area of being polluted. In this study, the main source of particulates could be initiated by the activities during disposing the garbage, subsequently; disposal equipment units which could be considered to reduce the air-quality Similar reports which were carried out in Pakistan [6], India [7], Nigeria have also found that both particulate pollutants and other pollutants were in high level due to the activities during disposing the garbage [8,9]. In a study in Nigeria, the influential meteorological features include temperatures, humidity, and wind-speed [9].…”

“…The distance factor between the OPLS and residential areas also have shown strong correlation to the level of exposure, by which the safest distance to avoid negative impacts of pollutants was 1.5 km from the nearest OPLS [8]. In addition, the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 have been reported to be affected by seasons, in which higher concentrations of PM2.5 was reported in dry season rather than in the rainy season [6].…”

“…Another OPLS in Eneka, Port Harcourt, Nigeria demonstrated a high level of NO2 with particle size in between 0.3 -0.5 micron which is categorized as hazard in regard to WHO and USEPA regulations [8]. Meanwhile, OPLS in Lahore, Pakistan has been reported to have 6-10 times higher of PM2.5 than the acceptable levels, issued by the Pak-EPA, suggesting hazardous for public health [6]. Unlike in Lahore, the Matuail OPLS in Bangladesh remained in acceptable level of NOx, SO2, TSP, PM10, PM2.5 and CO even though these levels could apparently contribute to the poor quality of air ambient in the surrounding Matuail [7].…”

Municipal solid waste, an overlooked route of transmission for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2: a review

“…Godri et al ( 2010 ) reported that in London, the highest particulate matter concentrations were found in proximity to waste transfer stations experiencing large numbers of vehicles transporting industrial and household wastes. Measurements in solid waste disposal sites and transfer stations in Lahore, Pakistan, also showed high PM 2.5 levels (127.1–403.8 µg∙m −3 ) at both sources and downwind (50 m) locations, with the latter consistently showing higher PM 2.5 levels (Raza et al 2021 ). The re-suspension of wastes from truck unloading, waste sorting, and mechanical equipment operating during landfill operations resulted in elevated levels of particulate matter emissions at landfill sites and downwind school and residential areas (Chalvatzaki et al 2010 ; Ezeke et al, 2016 ).…”