Annual TSP and Trace Metal Distribution in the Urban Atmosphere of Islamabad in Comparison with Mega-Cities of the World

ABSTRACT

The objective of this work was to assess the current concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP) and trace metals in the urban atmosphere of Islamabad, Pakistan, where local industries, transportation, and urbanization are adversely affecting air quality. Air sampling was done using a high-volume sampler and the metals were estimated in TSP by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. An annual mean TSP of 151.9 μ g/m³ was determined for the period May 2003–April 2004, which exceeded the World Health Organization's (WHO's) primary and secondary standards of air quality. The TSP metal concentrations were compared with those reported in literature for other regions of the world and with air quality standards laid down by regulatory agencies. The levels of Na, Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr, Co, and Cd for the present study were higher than most of the levels reported for other typical industrial and urban areas of the world. The airborne Ni concentrations were higher than the WHO and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standards. Cluster and Principal Component Analyses of the data were used to identify the sources of the metals and establish their mutual correlations in the local atmosphere.

Key Words:

• FAAS
• Islamabad
• multivariate analysis
• air toxics
• trace metals
• TSP

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The financial support provided by the Higher Education Commission, Government of Pakistan, to carry out this work is thankfully acknowledged. We are also grateful to the Chief, Nutrition Division, National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, Pakistan, for allowing the inter-laboratory comparison facility and for providing standard reference material.

Notes

*Values in ng/m³.