Insight into monsoon for shaping the air quality of Islamabad, Pakistan: Comparing the magnitude of health risk associated with PM10 and PM2.5 exposure

• Published in: Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995) 2020-12, Vol.70 (12), p.1340-1355
• Main Authors: Mehmood, Tariq, Ahmad, Ishaq, Bibi, Saira, Mustafa, Beenish, Ali, Ijaz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Air pollution control; Air pollution effects; Air quality; Air sampling; Airborne particulates; Developing countries; Environmental monitoring; Health risks; LDCs; Local population; Monsoons; Mortality; Outdoor air quality; Particulate matter; Pollution abatement; Pollution control; Pollution monitoring; Pollution prevention; Pollution research; Pollution studies; Quality of life; Respiratory diseases; Samplers; Technical services; Wind
• ISSN: 1096-2247; 2162-2906
• DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2020.1813838

Monsoon plays a determinant role in defining the air quality of many Asian countries. Filter-based 24 h ambient PM 10 and PM 2.5 sampling was performed by using two paralleled medium volume air samplers during pre-and post-monsoon periods. A negligible change in PM 2.5 mass concentration from 45.77 to 44.46 µg/m 3 compared to PM 10 from 74.34 to 142.49 µg/m 3 was observed after the monsoon season. The air quality index (AQI) results showed that the air quality of the city retained from good to slightly polluted in both periods, where PM 2.5 remained as the main detrimental to air quality in 95% of the total days. The NOAA HYSPLIT model analysis and wind rose patterns showed air trajectories, especially in post-monsoon originated from relatively polluted areas transported higher PM 10 . Meteorological attributes indicated a more conducive atmospheric condition for secondary pollution in the pre-monsoon. Evidence showed post-monsoon as a more polluted period, compared to the pre-monsoon and would pose an extra 1.07 × 10 −3 lifetime risk to the local population. Similarly, a higher level of PM 10 in the post-monsoon caused 43% more premature mortality and 41% more deaths from all-cause mortality compare to the pre-monsoon period, respectively. Implications: Pakistan is an under-developing country where pollution monitoring studies are decidedly limited. Notably, studies, concise PM 2.5 and health assessment are deficient. The present study may contribute to evaluating the air quality in special events such as monsoon and can also provide scientific and technical support for subsequent air pollution research. Moreover, the results help to develop adequate prevention and pollution control strategies and offer policy suggestions for monsoon observing countries in general and in particular, in Islamabad, Pakistan. These findings provide essential arguments in favor of educating people and raising awareness about the detrimental health effects of air pollution. Improving the quality of life of people with cardiovascular and respiratory disorders requires an immediate and substantial reduction of air pollution.