American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15(Tourism & Environment, Social and Management Sciences): 89-95, 2015 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2015 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2015.15.s.212 Corresponding Author: Abdul Qayoom Jakhrani, Department of Energy and Environment Engineering, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology (QUEST), Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan. Tel: +92 244 9370362. 89 Assessment of Air Pollutants in Karachi and Hyderabad Cities and Their Possible Reduction Options Kishan Chand Mukwana, Saleem Raza Samo, Abdul Qayoom Jakhrani and Muhammad Mureed Tunio Department of Energy and Environment Engineering, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology (QUEST), Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the level of particulates and carbon concentrations in the form of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in Karachi and Hyderabad cities of Sindh province and to propose possible options for reducing the level of air pollutants. For that, a total of six critical locations each in Karachi and Hyderabad cities were selected for recording and analysis of air pollutants. The air quality parameters were recorded for thirty times in each location using standard instruments. The level of single parameter recording took about ninety minutes as the readings were noted after stability of the values in the instrument. The measured results were also compared with National Ambient Air Quality Standards. It was found from the results that the average level of PM at all locations in Karachi city was almost double than Hyderabad city. 2.5 The concentration level of CO and CO was found to be more in Karachi than Hyderabad. The level of PM 2 2.5 in Karachi and PM in both cities was found to be two times more than standards. It is concluded that the 10 prevailing air quality in both cities may result in substantial health hazards for the residents if left unmanaged. Key words: Anthropogenic Carbon compounds Greenhouse effect NAAQS Particulates INTRODUCTION Automobile emission is regarded as the principal source Air pollution is considered as a crucial health issue metropolitan cities in the world [5]. Besides automobile affecting millions of lives around the world. It adversely emissions, thermal power plants, industries and diffused affects not only local ecological systems, regional biomass burning also contribute in urban air pollution [1]. atmospheric chemistry but also global climate [1]. It is Among pollutants which exceed concentration limits are ascribed to the large scale urbanization and population coarse particulate matters (PM ), fine particulate matter growth, which results the increase in traffic, (PM ), carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. It is industrialization and energy use that ultimately release the reported that the annual mean concentration of PM on pollutants into the atmosphere [2]. The ambient air ambient air pollution has increased by more than 5% pollution is considered to be one of the ten major threats between 2008 and 2013 in 720 cities across the world [2]. contributing to the global health burden, causing An extensive growth in population, urbanization and approximately 16% of premature deaths in 2009 and industrialization, together with a great increase in around 3.7 million deaths in 2012 [3]. It is predicted that motorization and energy use has been seen in Pakistan 3.6 million additional premature deaths will be due to during last decades. The country is suffering from ambient air pollution by the year 2050 [4]. Such condition deterioration of air quality due to the nonexistence of air is expected to become worse in densely populated urban quality management systems. Evidence from various areas and megacities of developing regions [3]. It is governmental organizations and international bodies because the world's mega cities are unable to meet the has I ndicated that air pollution is a significant risk to prescribed concentration limits of air pollutants. the environment, quality of life and public health [6]. of pollution producing particulate matters (PMs) in most 10 2.5 10