What Is Air Pollution And Its Affects On Human

Air pollution (say: po-loo-shun) occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes (or smoke) or odour are introduced into the atmosphere in a way that makes it harmful to humans, animals and plant. This is because the air becomes dirty (contaminated or unclean).

The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air (made up of various gases) called the atmosphere. The atmosphere helps protect the Earth and allow life to exist. Without it, we would be burned by the intense heat of the sun during the day or frozen by the very low temperatures at night.

Any additional gas, particles or odours that are introduced into the air (either by nature or human activity) to distort this natural balance and cause harm to living things can be called air pollution.
Things that pollute the air are called pollutants.

Examples of pollutants include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides, hydrocarbons, sulphur oxides (usually from factories), sand or dust particles, and organic compounds that can evaporate and enter the atmosphere.

There are two types of pollutants:

Primary pollutants  are those gases or particles that are pumped into the air to make it unclean. They include carbon monoxide from automobile (cars) exhausts and sulfur dioxide from the combustion of coal.

Secondary pollutants: When pollutants in the air mix up in a chemical reaction, they form an even more dangerous chemical. Photochemical smog is an example of this, and is a secondary pollutant.

Effects of air pollution 

A variety of air pollutants have known or suspected harmful effects on human health and the environment. In most areas of Europe, these pollutants are principally the products of combustion from space heating, power generation or from motor vehicle traffic. Pollutants from these sources may not only prove a problem in the immediate vicinity of these sources but can travel long distances.

Health effects

Generally if you are young and in a good state of health, moderate air pollution levels are unlikely to have any serious short term effects. However, elevated levels and/or long term exposure to air pollution can lead to more serious symptoms and conditions affecting human health. This mainly affects the respiratory and inflammatory systems, but can also lead to more serious conditions such as heart disease and cancer. People with lung or heart conditions may be more susceptible to the effects of air pollution.

The table below shows the types of health effects experienced by the most common pollutants at elevated levels:

Pollutant	Health effects at very high levels
Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Ozone	These gases irritate the airways of the lungs, increasing the symptoms of those suffering from lung diseases
Particles	Fine particles can be carried deep into the lungs where they can cause inflammation and a worsening of heart and lung diseases
Carbon Monoxide	This gas prevents the uptake of oxygen by the blood. This can lead to a significant reduction in the supply of oxygen to the heart, particularly in people suffering from heart disease

Long-Term Health Effects

The following links provide information about long-term effects of air pollution.

• Public Health England

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

• WHO outdoor pollution fact sheet

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/

Effects on the environment

Air pollution causes damage to plants and animals, affecting biodiversity and crop yields. Defra has a number of research projects investigating the effects of air pollution on vegetetation and ecosystems.

But Environmental Department In Pakistan Is Sleeping

Millions of citizens all over Pakistan are suffering from various serious diseases due to alarming air pollution in Pakistan specially Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala but Environmental Protection Agency has no concern and kept silent on this big issue.

The Air pollution level in big cities are frighteningly high due to the negligence of Environmental Protection Agency. Reluctantly, it is the poor citizens who have to bear the brunt. 

Mahmood Saleem
Advocate High Court
Office Number 9,Mian Mansion, 4 Mozang Raod, Lahore
Mobile. 0321-4314001/  0333-5769655

Air Quality Worsens In City But EPA Has No Concern

The Punjab Environmental Policy 2015 has completely defined the Air Quality which is mentioned there but Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Environmental Protection Department (EPD) have completely failed to perform thier duties as per Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 2015 and The Punjab Environment Policy 2015.

Air Quality In Punjab

One of the emerging environmental issues is degradation of ambient air quality particularly in urban areas. Various surveys show that air pollution levels in cities have either crossed safe limits or have reached the threshold values. The most serious issue of air quality in province is the presence of excessive Suspended Particulate Matters (SPM) present in the ambient air. The major sources of SPM are transportation of sand, clay, bricks etc in open vehicles, in-efficient sweeping of roads, elevated green areas, transport, industry, burning of solid waste, brick kilns and natural dust. Ambient air quality of major cities is also affected by massive increase in traffic. Presence of high levels of suspended particulate matters in the air is certainly a matter of concern due to its serious health implications for public.

Actions Required As Per The Punjab Environment Policy 2015 

a) Prepare and implement action plans for all cities for addressing air pollution for both point and non-point sources, relying on a judicious combination of regulations and incentive based instruments.
b) Regulate transportation of sand, clay, bricks and other construction materials in open trolleys and carts, in urban centers.
c) Formulate a strategy for urban transport to ensure adequate investment, public and private, in low-pollution mass transport systems.
d) Establish and enforce standards for ambient air quality.
e) Ensure effective enforcement of the Punjab Environmental Quality Standards and Self Monitoring Rules.
f) Ensure reduction and control of harmful emissions through regulatory programs.
g) Regulate vehicular emissions.
h) Establish standards for vehicles at the manufacturing stage.
i) Update and enforce fuel specifications.
j) Make use of catalytic converters in new and in-use vehicles mandatory.
k) Phase out sulphur from diesel and furnace oil.
l) Promote clean fuel production technologies.
m) Phase out two stroke vehicles.
n) Encourage cost effective inter-city mass transit systems in major cities.
o) Promote non-motorized means of travel such as cycling and walking through provision of adequate walkways and cycle lanes along roadsides in all cities of the province.
p) Ensure the installation of air pollution control system by all industrial units.
q) Relocation of hazardous and air polluting industries from residential areas to outside the cities.
r) Relocation of Brick Kilns located in residential areas to outside the cities.
s) Enforcements of clean fuel usage in all industrial units and brick kilns.
t) Removal of Air pollution sources adjacent to educational institutes and hospital / health care centers.
u) New educational institutes and hospitals / health care centers should be established off road sites to save the student’s health from vehicular pollution.
v) Launch programs for adaptation of clean technologies for gradual up-gradation of the ambient air quality of urban areas through Research and Development.

w) Promote implementation of regulations for allocation of buffer area along all major roads. Provision of service roads may be encouraged to avoid any development directly along major roads.

Mahmood Saleem
Advocate High Court
Office Number 9,Mian Mansion, 4 Mozang Raod, Lahore
Mobile. 0321-4314001/  0333-5769655

Environmental Protection Agency Has Failed To Enforce Its Policy 2015

The Punjab Environment Policy 2015 is a guide for actions in regulatory reform, programmes and projects for environmental conservation; and will review and ensure the enactment of legislation, by Provincial and Local Governments. The policy has been approved by the Punjab Environmental Protection Council headed by the Chief Minister Punjab under Section 4 (b) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997 (amendment Act 2012) and is enforced with immediate effect.

But Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Environmental Protection Department (EPD) have completely failed to implement and enforce the The Punjab Environment Policy 2015 while it is clearly mentioned in the policy that The urban areas of all Punjab cities especially Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Sialkot are facing problems of uncontrolled urbanization, haphazard industrialization, deterioration of air, surface and ground water quality, improper disposal of the municipal and industrial wastes.

It is increasingly evident that poor environmental quality has adversely affected human health. Environmental factors are estimated as being responsible in some cases for the burden of disease in the province.

The policy provides a comprehensive framework by providing sectoral and cross sectoral guidelines for the development of an action plan, for efforts on adaptation and mitigation of environmental challenges by Provincial and Local Governments under their domain of functions and rules of business.

Goal Of The Punjab Environment Policy 2015

The Punjab Environment Policy aims to protect, conserve and restore Punjab environment in order to improve the quality of life of the citizens through sustainable development.

Objectives

The objectives of the Policy are:

a) Protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, prevention and control of pollution and promotion of sustainable development and efficient management and enhancement of environmental resources.

b) Integration of environmental considerations in policy making and planning processes through environmental governance.

c) Integration of environmental concerns in Economic and Social Development.

d) Capacity building of government agencies and other stakeholders at all levels for better environmental management.

e) Meeting national and international obligations effectively in line with the Provincial aspirations.

f) Creation of a demand for environmental protection through mass awareness and community mobilization.


EPA and EPD Have Completely Failed To Enforce The Punjab Environment Policy 2015 

Environment Protection Department and Environmental Protection Agency have completely failed to implement and enforce the The Punjab Environment Policy 2015 therefor millions of citizen of Lahore are suffering from verious serious diseases due to alarming air pollution in Lahore. If visists any hospital and clinic, numerous patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, chest and ENT infections and psychosomatic diseases. But the silent role of EPA and EPD have curled the lives of citizens into fetal contortions of agony, pain and lamentation. This level of ignorance is deplorable by EPA and EPD.


Mahmood Saleem
Advocate High Court
Office Number 9,Mian Mansion, 4 Mozang Raod, Lahore
Mobile. 0321-4314001/  0333-5769655

Pakistan’s Climate Change Time Bomb Is Already Ticking

The effects of climate change and global warming on Pakistan, the melting of glaciers in the Himalayas, threatening the volumetric flow rate of many of the most important rivers of Pakistan. In Pakistan, such effects are projected to impact millions of lives.

Pakistan has produced 0.2 million metric tons. Although Pakistan has been a low producer of greenhouse gases, yet it has been one of the worst affected countries due to global warming. Even after having been consistently affected by climate exigencies year after year, its response to solve the issue has remained lacklustre.


Unfortunately, we have not even crossed the first step; immediate recognition of climate risk and environmental protection as an issue of critical concern remains absent from the policy landscape.

Pakistan makes a tiny contribution to total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, less than 1% (among the lowest in the world)[1] but it is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, and it has very low technical and financial capacity to adapt to its adverse impacts.[2] The effects of climate change and global warming on Pakistan, the melting of glaciers in the Himalayas, threatening the volumetric flow rate of many of the most important rivers of Pakistan. In Pakistan, such effects are projected to impact millions of lives. As a result of ongoing climate change, the climate of Pakistan has become increasingly volatile over the past several decades; this trend is expected to continue.

Climate Change Mitigation Pakistan’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are low compared to international standards. In 2008 Pakistan’s total GHG emissions were 310 million tons of CO2 equivalent. These comprised: CO2 54%; Methane (CH4) 36%; Nitrous Oxide (N2O) 9%; Carbon Monoxide (CO) 0.7%; and Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds 0.3%. (Source: National GHG inventory 2008). The energy sector is the single largest source of GHG emission in Pakistan; it accounts for nearly 51% of these emissions and is followed by the agriculture sector (39%), industrial processes (6%), land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) (3%) emissions and waste (1%) (Source: National GHG inventory 2008).


 As such, the most important targets for mitigation efforts focused on reduction of GHG emissions are the energy and agriculture sectors. In the energy sector, integration of climate change and energy policy objectives is particularly important as today’s investment will “lock in” the infrastructure, fuel and technologies to be used for decades to come. Similarly, the building and transport infrastructure put in place today should meet the design needs of the future. Therefore, greater attention must be paid to energy efficiency requirements in building codes and long-term transport planning.


Threats

The important climate change threats to Pakistan are;

1. Considerable increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, coupled with erratic monsoon rains causing frequent and intense floods and droughts;

2. Projected recession of the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalayan (HKH) glaciers due to global warming and carbon soot deposits from trans-boundary pollution sources, threatening water inflows into the Indus River System (IRS);

3. Increased siltation of major dams caused by more frequent and intense floods;

4. Rising temperatures resulting in enhanced heat and water-stressed conditions, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, leading to reduced agricultural productivity;

5. Further decrease in the already scanty forest cover, from too rapid change in climatic conditions to allow natural migration of adversely affected plant species;

6. Increased intrusion of saline water in the Indus delta, adversely affecting coastal agriculture, mangroves and the breeding grounds of fish;

7. Threat to coastal areas due to projected sea level rise and increased cyclonic activity due to higher sea surface temperatures;

8. Increased stress between upper riparian and lower riparian regions in relation to sharing of water resources;

9. Increased health risks and climate change induced migration.


The above threats lead to major survival concerns for Pakistan, particularly in relation to the country’s water security, food security and energy security.


Disaster Preparedness

Disaster Preparedness Climate change is likely to increase climate-related natural disasters with the projected increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, cyclones, landslides triggered by heavy rains and urban flooding due to congestion of storm drainage. Climate change projections are scenario based, and hence have some degree of uncertainty. 


Nonetheless, there are strong indications that in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, climate change is intensifying the above-mentioned hazards. Pakistan is already experiencing climate change impacts which are too visible to ignore. Most disasters or hazards that lead to destruction cannot be prevented; their impact however, can be minimized by adaptation and preparedness measures.

Steps to be taken

Promoting solar power, improving energy efficiency and adding to forest cover are some of the steps that can be taken by Pakistan to protect its environment.

In this context, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government’s Billion Tree Tsunami programme should be applauded as an effort toward to protect forest cover and should motivate other provincial governments to take concerted efforts in protecting their forests.

However, even this measure has become a victim of political bargaining and received no mention from our premier at the recent climate change conference.


The first step towards reducing carbon emissions and protecting the shared global environment should come from industrialised nations which are large producers of greenhouse gases. Sizable investments are required to significantly reduce emissions particularly in sectors that emit large magnitude greenhouse gases.

Mahmood Saleem
Advocate High Court
Office Number 9,Mian Mansion, 4 Mozang Raod, Lahore
Mobile. 0321-4314001/  0333-5769655

What Is Climate Change And Reasons Of Climate Change

Climate change, also called global warming, refers to the rise in average surface temperatures on Earth. An overwhelming scientific consensus maintains that climate change is due primarily to the human use of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air.

What is climate variations?

Climate change is a change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns when that change lasts for an extended period of time (i.e., decades to millions of years).

What is the definition of global climate change?

Global warming refers to the recent and ongoing rise in global average temperature near Earth's surface. It is caused mostly by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Global warming is causing climate patterns to change.

What is climate change and adaptation?

There are two main policy responses to climate change: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation addresses the root causes, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while adaptation seeks to lower the risks posed by the consequences of climatic changes.

More Links to Know About Climate Change 

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/28/science/what-is-climate-change.html?_r=0

http://climate.nasa.gov/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change Wikipedia

https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/

https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/basics/

http://www.takepart.com/flashcards/what-is-climate-change

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-change

http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v4/n2/full/nclimate2100.html

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-is-climate-change-58.html

http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate

http://www.unep.org/climatechange/

http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/whatis.htm

http://ecowatch.com/climate-change-news/

http://www.ipcc.ch/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/06/27/its-official-humans-are-making-the-earth-much-greener/

http://link.springer.com/journal/10584

Mahmood Saleem
Advocate High Court
Office Number 9,Mian Mansion, 4 Mozang Raod, Lahore
Mobile. 0321-4314001/  0333-5769655

Illegal Use Of Pressure Horns Causing Noise Pollution In Lahore

The illegal use of pressure horns have become fashion in the city and the concern department has not been paying heed on this serious issue just due to the negligence of Environmental, and Transport Departments. These illegal pressure horns are leaving deleterious effect on the mind and health of people of the city.

The people of the city are suffering from mental torment, anxiety and distress due to the dramatic intensification cacophony of pressure horns. These illegal pressure horns are not only jeopardizing the pedestrians on roads but also the masses of residential areas.

The concern department should constitute a special squad to check the noise pollution and to take stern and strict action against installation of pressure horns on regular basis to curtail the noise pollution form the city.

The Noise Pollution in the Lahore city has not only crossed the National Standard but also crossed the international standard due to the dramatic increase of pressure horns as well as negligence of Environmental, and Transport Departments.

Mahmood Saleem
Advocate High Court
Office Number 9,Mian Mansion, 4 Mozang Raod, Lahore
Mobile. 0321-4314001/  0333-5769655

Green And Clean Lahore Campaign By Mahmood Saleem Advocate High Court

This is Mahmood Saleem, Advocate High Court. I have started a campaign for Green and Clean Lahore. Please be the part of this Campaign positively and actively. The Citizens of Lahore are suffering from menace of ever accumulative and frantic air pollution for countless years  due to the sloppiness and slackness of Environment Department.

Millions of Citizens of Lahore are suffering from various serious diseases due to the frantic and worst environment situation in the Metropolitan. Pure Air is our Fundamental Right. But the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and Environment Protection Agency (EPA) have been paying no heed on this serious matter and kept silent for countless years.

It is very important to mention here that both Department are responsible for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment; the prevention and control of pollution; and promotion of sustainable development in the province under Pakistan Environment Protection Act 1977 and Paris Agreement 2015.

We will force to Environment Department for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment; the prevention and control of pollution; and promotion of sustainable development in the Lahore City as Well as Whole Province.

Mahmood Saleem

Advocate High Court

0321-4314001