Spatial and temporal variations in indoor air quality in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Indoor air pollution is a significant economic burden in Pakistan with an annual cost of 1% of gross domestic product. Moreover, according to the World Health Organization 81% of the population use solid fuels with 70,700 deaths annually attributable to its use. Despite this situation, indoor air pollution remains to be recognized as a hazard at policy level in Pakistan and there are no standards set for permissible levels of indoor pollutants. The current study was designed to monitor the indoor air quality in residential houses (n = 30) in Lahore, Pakistan. PM2.5 and bioaerosols were monitored simultaneously in the kitchens and living rooms. Activity diaries were kept during the measurement periods. It was observed that cooking, cleaning and smoking were the principal indoor sources while infiltration from outdoor, particularly in the semi-urban and industrial areas also made significant contributions. Maximum and minimum air change rate per hour was determined for each micro-environment to observe the influence of ventilation on the indoor air quality. Lahore has a low-latitude semi-arid hot climate and a significant impact of season was observed upon bacterial and fungal levels. It was also observed that the PM2.5 levels rose during the colder months and decreased significantly during the summer season. Low ventilation rates during the winter season as well as meteorological factors resulted in an elevated PM levels.

Assessment of Bioaerosols and Metal Contaminants in Car Cabin Filters Dust of Lahore, Pakistan

“…It is densely occupied and has a population of 10 million with a total area of 1172 km 2 . Overall, the average temperature of Lahore is 24.3ºC and the weather is a hot, semi-arid climate with an annual rainfall of 600 to 800mm [34,14].…”

An Assessment of Risk Factors and Health Impacts Associated with Indoor Air Pollution and Tobacco Smoke in Lahore, Pakistan.

“…In addition to cooking, cleaning and smoking practices which are primary sources of indoor air pollution, infiltration of particulate matter and hazardous aerosols from outdoor environment such as semi-urban and industrial zones are also the secondary contributors to the poor indoor air quality of Lahore city. Although, distinct stats regarding the morbidities and mortalities associated with poor indoor air quality of Lahore have not been identified, but it is possible that a significant proportion of deaths due to outdoor air pollution are attributed to indoor air pollution in Lahore (Colbeck et al, 2019). The present study makes an addition to the existing literature of Pakistan in the context of environmental tobacco smoke, other targeted indoor air pollutants, and their health effects.…”

Review of IAQ in Premises Equipped with Façade–Ventilation Systems

“…The importance of air quality for health varies drastically depending on the level of development of a country. In developing countries, air pollution contributes to 3.7% of the disease burden, while in developed countries, the same factor is not listed among the top 10 pathogens [2,3]. According to the report of the World Health Organization (WHO) [4], 3.8 million deaths worldwide in 2016 were the result of air pollution.…”