On the brink of environmental disaster-I: can't we make it a little less hazardous to breathe in Karachi?

The environment is degrading at an alarming pace in Pakistan. Problems like deforestation, erosion of soil, contamination of water with industrial and chemical effluents, untreated sewage, hazardous waste and vehicle emission in urban centres pose a real threat to human, animal and botanical life. It is feared that lack of sense and responsibility on the part of government and people will soon lead to environmental disaster.
AIR POLLUTION: The greatest threat to environment in Pakistan comes from air pollution. Air quality in the urban centres and big cities is very deplorable. And, according to some studies, air pollution has already reached a critical limit, as the level of air pollution in big cities is estimated to be 20 times higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. The worst hit is of course Karachi, where air and water pollution levels have crossed international quality standards, posing serious threat to the lives of 14 million people.
The major sources of air pollution in big cities are the vehicles and industries. The number of vehicles in Pakistan has swelled in recent years phenomenally. Cars and trucks while burning petrol release a significant amount of carbon and lead, besides other harmful agents and gases. Diesel powered vehicles produce large quantities of particulates in the form of black soot. While, in the case of industries, the top three sources of toxic air pollutants are chemical and metal wastes.
It is unfortunate that neither proper studies and surveys have been carried out to identify the sources/agents responsible for environmental degradation nor have successive governments shown any interest in addressing environmental issues.
However, it was in July 2006 that Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Organisation (Suparco) released a report, warning the government, that Karachi city had already "reached the critical sustenance limits of pollution." The report, prepared for Karachi City government, was based on a six-month long survey conducted in 2005 to check pollution levels at 26 different traffic intersections of the city.
This survey also recorded the volume of traffic at the selected locations. The report was critical of the existing government policies for their failure to address the problem of transport which was a major contributory factor for air and noise pollution in Karachi.
According to this report, a peak Sulphur Dioxide concentration of 40ppb (parts per billion) was noted at Garden Road and Preedy Street intersection and Burnes Road and Frere Road intersection. (The Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) after its conversion into sulphuric acid becomes harmful to both plants and animals, and is a major source of respiratory tract infections/disorders).
The survey found maximum Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) concentration at Burnes Road intersection. Nitrogen Oxide gases are a potential health hazard and can cause respiratory diseases, especially among the children. It was observed that NOx concentration at all intersections exceeded the maximum limit prescribed by the World Bank and the WHO.
The Survey also recorded a maximum Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentration of 615ppm (parts per million) at Korangi Road and Baloch Colony bypass intersection, whereas a maximum CO concentration of 17ppm was noted at the Empress Market.
The area around FTC was found with maximum concentration of ozone (ie 43ppb), while the maximum PM10 concentration of 480pg/m3 was detected at Korangi Road and Baloch Colony bypass intersection. (Ozone in the upper level atmosphere shields us from ultraviolet radiation, on the ground level, it is highly toxic to plants, animals and humans. It can lower the immune system and damage lungs.)
The Garden Road and Preedy Street intersection was found having maximum concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which includes gasoline, paint solvents and organic cleaning solutions.
To further ascertain the environmental impact of vehicular traffic, the Suparco survey teams also analysed samples from street sweeping. The objective was to find out the presence of Total Suspended Particulates (TSPs), a mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air. TSPs are seen as dust, smoke and haze which can make breathing difficult, especially for people with chronic respiratory problems.
It was observed that the concentration of TSPs exceeded 450pg/m3 at Garden Road, Tibet Centre, Maulvi Musafir Khana, Tower and Preedy Street intersections and at other congested points like Liaquatabad No 10, Karimabad and Gurumandir. It was however a little less at some other points like Tin Hatti, Burns Road and Empress Market, Metropole Hotel, FTC, Sunset Boulevard and Baloch Colony Bypass. Seen against a maximum limit of 120pg/m3 set by the WHO, such a high presence of TSPs in residential areas was simply adding to environmental hazards.
The Suparco report also warned against the excessive presence of Carbon Monoxide (CO), which is an odourless, tasteless and highly poisonous gas. It interacts directly with the blood haemoglobin and causes its reduction. A concentration that is higher than 9ppm for eight hours, becomes very toxic, causing headaches, dizziness, reduced ability to think, and nausea. Another serious threat to the environment is from the high content of lead in gasoline, which is presently 0.35gm/liter.
Different studies carried out by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Association and the Aga Khan Hospital have confirmed presence of high concentration of lead levels in the blood of school children, traffic police and others. Road side samples also showed the presence of high lead in the air. Lead is dangerous, even at low concentrations and can lead to reduced intelligence in children, brain damage and death. Many countries, including Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Philippines, Thailand and almost all European countries have banned gasoline with lead content.
Carbon emission is another major source of air pollution. Notwithstanding its commitment to UN guidelines, Pakistan has failed to take any measures which can help reduce the level of emissions. Pakistan's per capita carbon emission in 2001 was 0.2 metric tons per person, which was almost double when compared to Bangladesh which emitted 0.1 metric tons of carbon per person. Pakistan accounts for only 0.4 percent of the world's carbon emissions.
There is a little realisation that air pollution can also lead to acidification of lakes and soils and can result in low crops productivity, forest growth and biodiversity. We have allowed environmental degeneration for want of political and administrative will on the part of government and a general apathy and less awareness on the part of people. We can begin our fight for cleaner environment and pollution-free atmosphere with some very small measures and a system of checks and balances. This can include a complete ban on gasoline with lead, introduction of low sulphur diesel 0.05 percent to 0.5 percent sulphur (the diesel available in the market contains one percent sulphur) and use of Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), which is a device used in many countries to control diesel exhaust emissions.
Vehicular traffic, especially in urban centres, is indeed a major source of air pollution. With every passing day thousands of four-wheelers are added to vehicular population on roads. The government emphasis on development of roads and highways infrastructure and leasing facilities by lending agencies is one major cause of phenomenal rise in the number of vehicles. Solution lies in introducing an urban rail system (in case of Karachi reviving the defunct Circular Railways) and developing an efficient modern public transport system which would automatically reduce number of private cars and other smaller vehicles on roads.
Recently some measures seem to have been taken to switch vehicles over to alternative but environment-friendly fuels, like CNG, natural gas, etc. This has resulted in making Pakistan third largest CNG consumer in the world after Argentina and Italy.
However, the most natural and greatest safeguard against air pollution is plantation. Develop and grow more trees to make your surroundings greener and to have cleaner air laden with oxygen.
NOISE POLLUTION: The Noise pollution is caused by human or machine created sounds taken to undesirable degrees. It was during the last three decades that noise began to be recognised as an environmental problem and people started expressing concern about its effect on physiological and psychological health of human being.
Recent researches reveal that increase in noise level is also having its effect on animal and plant life. But I am told that in olden days there used to be warning boards in almost all streets of Karachi warning the drivers: "Do not blow horns within the municipal limits of Karachi."
Many social scientists now believe that environment especially the noise pollution has its effects on human personality. Human aberrations, intolerance, anger and aggression, fears and phobias are a few traits that are mostly determined or aggravated not only by family and social factors, but also by the environmental factors.
There is now a severe noise pollution problem in Pakistan's urban areas, which in turn, is creating temperamental problems. The most important source of noise pollution, in cities, is vehicular traffic. Karachi is the worst affected city in this regard and the reason for it is the day to day increase in the number of vehicles, traffic jams, defective roads, defective vehicles, besides other factors.
According to one estimate, no less than 100,000 vehicles - buses, minibuses, taxies, auto-rickshaws, trucks, trailers, delivery vans and pick-ups - are plying on the city roads. There are some laws - permits, licenses, etc - to regulate vehicular traffic/movement, but unfortunately, there is no proper and integrated system to check and ensure their mechanical fitness and conditions. Other sources of noise pollution are industrial workshops, loudspeakers, radio, TV, record players, construction work, trains and aircrafts.
According to Suparco report, Korangi Road and Baloch Colony bypass intersection had the highest noise level ie 99 decibels (dB) in the city, while according to the National Environmental Quality Standards the noise limit must not exceed 85dB. It was noticed that the hearing of about 70 percent of the volunteers, engaged by Suparco for the study, was impaired.
The study said that the worst noise polluters were the local train with 98.8db, NLC trailers emitting 96.2 db and its horn emitting 108 db, the motorcycles which emit 92.9 db and auto rickshaws with 92.2 db.
Exposure to noise pollution apart from causing hearing impairment induces stress, can cause increase in heart rate, high blood pressure, elevated level of blood cholesterol, ulcers, headaches and colitis. Noise can adversely affect children, their language development and ability to read.
There is definitely a lack political and administrative will on the part of government to check and control air and noise pollutions. In April 2006, the Sindh High Court, taking notice of these environmental hazards, issued clear directives to phase out the old, faulty and smoke-emitting public transport vehicles in Karachi within three months. Apparently, succumbing to the pressures and threats from public transport mafias the provincial and city administration decided rather not to implement the court orders.
(To be concluded)