Monitoring of Ambient Air Quality Patterns and Assessment of Air Pollutants’ Correlation and Effects on Ambient Air Quality of Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Industrialization, explosive population growth, anthropogenic activities, and vehicular exhaust deteriorate ambient air quality across the world. The current study aims at assessing the impacts on ambient air quality patterns and their co-relations in one of the world’s most polluted cities, i.e., Lahore, Pakistan, during a strict, moderate, and post-COVID-19 period of 28 months (March 2020–June 2022). The purpose of this study is to monitor and analyze the relationship between criteria air pollutants (SO2, particulate matter (PM 10 and 2.5), CO, O3, and NO2) through a Haz-Scanner 6000 and mobile van (ambient air quality monitoring station) over nine towns in Lahore. The results showed significantly lower concentrations of pollutants during strict lockdown which increased during the moderate and post-COVID-19 lockdown periods. The post-COVID-19 period illustrates a significant increase in the concentrations of SO2, PM10, PM2.5, CO, O3, and NO2, in a range of 100%, 270%, 500%, 300%, 70%, and 115%, respectively. Major peaks (pollution concentration) for PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 were found during the winter season. Multi-linear regression models show a significant correlation between PM with NO2 and SO2. The ratio of increase in the PM concentration with the increasing NO2 concentration is nearly 2.5 times higher than SO2. A significant positive correlation between a mobile van and Haz-Scanner was observed for CO and NO2 data as well as ground-based observation and satellite data of SO2, NO2, and CO. During the strict COVID-19 lockdowns, the reduction in the vehicular and industrial exhaust significantly improved the air quality of nine towns in Lahore. This research sets the ground for further research on the quantification of total emissions and the impacts of vehicular/industrial emissions on human health.