http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10350 2026-10-12T21:59:07Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/21768 Particulate Matter Exposure and Lung Function Assessment of Dairy Farm and Cattle Feed Manufacturing Workforce in Sahiwal, Pakistan Ramsha Qadir, 09-262242-010 The air quality within livestock facilities is adversely affected by elevated levels of dust, particulate matter, and microorganisms, posing significant health risks to both animals and farm workers. Studies show that exposure to bioaerosols, particulate matter (PM), and harmful gases raises the risk of respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD in individuals in these environments. The present study was carried out to investigate the pulmonic health effect of air borne particulate matter in Dairy Farm and Animal feed Manufacturing industry in Sahiwal, Pakistan. The air samples were collected using Potable low-volume Air sampler. The selected particulate matter includes PM2.5 and PM10. The highest PM concentrations were recorded in the Feed Manufacturing department (PM₂.₅ 149 ± 27 µg/m³; PM₁₀ 191 ± 23 µg/m³), while the lowest concentrations were observed in the Goat Pen (PM₂.₅ 27 ± 9 µg/m³) and Feed Dispatch (PM₁₀ 53 ± 22 µg/m³) departments. PM concentrations in all departments exceeded the threshold limit values (TLV) of 5 µg/m³ for PM₂.₅ and 15 µg/m³ for PM₁₀. Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) in collected Particulate Matter samples were analyzed through Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The maximum concentrations detected were Pb 2.90 ppm, Cu 0.83 ppm, Zn 4.42 ppm, and Cd 0.016 ppm, all of which remained below the Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) of Cu 200 ppm, Pb 50 ppm, Zn 2000 ppm, and Cd 2 ppm. For the evaluation of lung’s function test, among workers in dairy farm and Animal feed manufacturing industry, a digital handheld spirometer was used to conduct the test in 70 subject group and 30 control group and demographic data was also collected through questionnaire. Smokers are present in both the groups, but COPD patients were identified only in subject group where 21% of workers exhibited obstructive lung disease, 13% restrictive lung disease, 16% mixed lung disease, and 50% normal lung function, whereas the control group showed 20% obstructive lung disease, 10% restrictive lung disease, no mixed lung disease, and 70% normal lung function. The lung function test results were based on FEV1, FVC, FVC/FEV1, PEF. The maximum values observed were in sites of Cow Byre>Goat Pen>Feed Manufacturing sites. Obstructive lung diseases were prevailing in both the group. The mix-lung disease was only present in subject group. No HQ value exceeds the permissible limit set by US EPA. The Pearson correlation was conducted between heavy metals concentration and human lung function. A strong negative correlation occurred between zinc and FVC. Correlation analysis of heavyiii metals vs PM concentration indicated that Pb and Zn were moderately associated with PM2.5 concentrations, whereas PM 10 showed weak relationship with most heavy metals. A significant inverse correlation was observed between Pb and Zn in PM10 samples, indicating distinct emission sources Supervised by Dr. Fiza sarwar 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/21769 Analyzing the Impact of Beverages Industries on the Air Quality and Climate Change Raja Arsalan Iftikhar, 01-262221-008 The study evaluated the stack emissions and ambient air quality of five beverage industries across five cities in Pakistan. High volume air sampler, LANCOM gas analyzer and HORIBA AQMS were utilized to measure and assess key parameters in the ambient air and stack emissions from boilers and generators at the industries. The results of ambient air quality at five beverage industries revealed that all assessed parameters were within the recommended limit given Pak NEQs. Noise levels were high but within WHO guidelines. All five industries had different wind speed, direction, humidity, and temperature. Faisalabad's diesel-powered boilers and generators exceeded Pak NEQs in stack emissions, with boiler 1 emitting the maximum CO and SO2, boiler 2, generator 2 and 3 generating NO, NOx, and PM under stipulated load conditions. Boiler 1 in Lahore released more CO, NO, NOx, and PM than Pak NEQs (natural gas boilers). NO2 and SO2 met Pak NEQs. Generators 1 and 3 exceeded Pak NEQ limits for CO, SO2, NO, NOx, and PM (dieselfueled, fully loaded). Fully loaded natural gas boilers and diesel generators served Rawalpindi. SO2 and NO2 met Pak NEQs, but CO, NO, NOx, and PM exceeded. Generators 2 and 3 released higher CO and NOx. Diesel generators and natural gas boilers were completely loaded in Haripur. CO and NO2 met Pak NEQs, whereas CO, SO2, NO, NOx, PM exceeded. Generators released the most CO and NOx. NO was greater in boiler 1 (167±23.06) µg/m3 and generator 3 (190±10.0) µg/m3. Overall, emissions were minimal. Sheikhupura boiler 2 emitted more than boiler 1. CO (334.3±30.2)%, SO2, NO (423.0±13.0) µg/m3, NOx (458.0±18.0) µg/m3, and PM (89.6±0.1) µg/m3 exceeded Pak NEQs. Diesel emissions peaked at generator 3. CO, SO2, NO, NOx, PM exceeded limits; NO2 and CO2 were within. Both machines were fully loaded. Comparative investigation showed that boiler 1 in Lahore was above the safe PM level (62.2 µg/m3), while boiler 2 was below the 35 µg/m3 limit. PM emissions from Sheikhupura boiler 2 were high (89.4 µg/m3). Haripur and Rawalpindi boilers had tolerable PM levels. Inefficient fuel combustion, fuel quality, and pollution management can cause boiler PM. All beverage boilers exceeded Pak NEQs' CO limitations (232.6 µg/m3). Improper fuel ratios and combustion temperatures increase CO emissions. Maintenance issues with furnaces and controls might increase emissions.iii Boilers in Faisalabad have higher SO2 levels (409.3 µg/m3). All boiler NO2 emissions were fine. Generators disregarded Pak EPA PM Emission’s regulations (76.8 µg/m3). Diesel combustion with low air-fuel mixing ratios creates particles. The NO2 emissions were safe. SO2 levels in Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad (161.6 µg/m3) surpassed Pak NEQs due to diesel generators. Rawalpindi and Haripur had safe SO2 levels. Additionally, generators surpassed CO (284.8 µg/m3) Pak NEQ emission limits. Poor diesel generator maintenance and control increase CO emissions. Faisalabad and Rawalpindi have the largest CO2 equivalent emission potentials, followed by Lahore, Haripur, and Sheikhupura. Boilers have greater CO2 percentages and equivalents than generators. CO2 percentages range from 9.47% to 9.57%, or 0.17 kg/m³. The C02 Eq results of GWP showed that emission management and mitigation activities should target boilers and generators in facilities with greater emissions, improving efficiency, using cleaner fuels like natural gas, optimizing processes, and cleaner technology. Supervised by Dr. Aansa Rukya Saleem 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/21672 Duckweed-Derived Adsorbent for Efficient Methylene Blue Removal from Synthetic Wastewater Aimen Rasheed, 09-262242-001 The main problem is the untreated azo-reactive pollutants and textile dyes, such as methylene blue, which are toxic to both the environment and human health. Chemical and physical treatment methods are not only expensive but also have subordinate environmental weaknesses. Duckweed was used as an economical, sustainable, and costeffective adsorbent to remove methylene blue from synthetic wastewater. The main objectives of the study include isolation and conversion of DW into an eco-friendly adsorbent, to evaluate the effect of physical parameters, including pH, adsorbent dose, time, and contaminant concentration, and to apply reaction kinetics and reaction isotherm models. The adsorbent was prepared and then examined using various methods, including scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Different concentrations of methylene blue were prepared, and batch experiments were performed involving various conditions of pH, adsorbent dose, time, and contaminant concentration to evaluate the optimal removal efficiency of MB by the prepared adsorbent. Citric acid was used as an activator that increases the efficiency of duckweed and reduces the leaching of chlorophyll color. The results were analyzed based on absorbance using a UV spectrophotometer at 580 nm, and the maximum removal efficiency of 93.3 % was achieved at a pH of 10, MB concentration of 50 mg/L, an adsorbent dose of 50mg, and in 30 minutes. Desorption studies were done to verify the removal efficiency, which decreases after two to three uses, so it is suitable for a particular use. Duckweed acts as a favorable substance for regulating methylene blue dye pollution in industrial wastewater Supervised by Dr. Syed Umair Ullah Jamil 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/19890 Analysis of Drinking Water Quality of Tehsil Kotli Sattiyan, District Murree, Punjab, Pakistan Andleeb Arshad A study was carried out in Murree, District Kotli Sattiyan, to evaluate the quality of drinking water. A total of 50 water samples from bore and spring sources were collected from ten randomly selected villages, with five samples taken from each village, including Lahtral, Chanat, Ghuniya, Batahal, Kotli, Parchan, Burj, Phofandi, Khalabut, and Bun. These samples underwent physicochemical, bacterial, and elemental analyses, alongside a questionnaire survey to assess villagers' perceptions regarding the quality of their drinking water. The physical parameters from bore water in villages Lahtral, Chanat , Ghuniya, and Batahal indicated that pH, salts, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) exceeded safe limits, while other parameters were within acceptable ranges. The water quality of the villages can be ranked in the following decreasing order: Chanat (2) > Ghuniya (3) > Batahal (4) > Lahtral (1). The villages Kotli, Parchan , Burj , Phofandi , Khalabut , and Bun had pH, Salt and (TDS) above the safe limits, and other parameters were within the permissible range. The quality can be shown in the following decreasing order: Bun (10) > Phofandi (8) > Khalabut (9) > Kotli (5) > Burj (7) > Parchan (6). The results of chemical parameters showed that villages Lahtral, Chanat, Ghuniya, Batahal had hardness, Alkalinity, magnesium and calcium ions above safe limits. Other parameters such as Na, Cl, (NaCl) were within the limits. The water quality of the villages can be ranked in the following decreasing order: Ghuniya (3) > Lahtral (1) > Chanat (2) > Batahal (4). The results of villages Kotli, Burj, Khalabut, Phofandi, Parchan, Bun had same parameters above the safe limits. The quality can be shown in the following decreasing order: Kotli (5) > Burj (7) > Khalabut (9) > Phofandi (8) > Parchan (6) > Bun (10). Total bacteria, SS species, and coliforms were found in all water samples. Village Batahal had poor water quality compared to the other three villages with the highest coliform and total bacterial species in groundwater samples. Villages Kotli and Bun had the highest number of coliforms and total bacterial species in the spring water samples, making it unfit for consumption. All elements in drinking water samples (Bore and spring) from 10 villages were within World Health Organization (WHO) and National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQs) limits, except for Selenium (Village Bun) and Barium (Villages Burj and Khalabut) which exceeded allowed limits. The study revealed that heavy metal levels in drinking water were within recommended limits, yet 70% of villages expressed concern about water quality. While 65% of respondents relied on boiling and handmade filters instead of Formal water testing, awareness of local water quality policies was low, with only 22.4% informed about them. The findings emphasized the urgent need for increased awareness and actions to ensure access to safe drinking water. Although respondents prioritized water quality, issues such as taste, odor, and residue were noted, there is a need for further research in this area. Supervised by Dr. Asma Jamil 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z