http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10349 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:27:00 GMT 2026-04-04T12:27:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/14592 CRITICAL REVIEW OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY STANDARDS OF PAKISTAN HAMMAD KHALID, 01-263182-008 The National Environmental Quality Standards of Pakistan were designed in 1993 and after that Pakistan did not revise the quality standards. With the passage of time, the necessity for revision of the quality standards has been increased, as many research works identified the new parameters in environmental resources. Also it is noticed in some research works that the existing parameters should need to be re-examine to identify the updated limits. The purpose of this study is to identify the new parameters for further investigation to update the National Environmental quality standards of Pakistan. This study is also highlight those parameters which are added in the standards but their limits need to be re-examine. The study was conducted by performing the comparative review of Pakistan quality standards with India, China, USEPA (for Effluents) and WHO. The data has been collected from secondary data sources like journals, publications, research work and government issued notifications. In the data comparison it is has identified that 8 new parameters (Aluminum etc.) of fresh water needs to added in the standards and 5 parameters (Barium etc.) which limits need to be re-examine. In the case of ambient air 4 new parameters (Nickel etc.) are found which need to be added and 4 parameters (Sulphur Dioxide etc.) need to be review. It is also identified that the design practice for quality standards of Pakistan for Noise, Motor Vehicle Exhaust, Gaseous Emissions, Municipal and Industrial effluents needs to be updated like WHO, India, China and USA. With this study, the gaps in the quality standards are identified to make the continual improvement inconsideration. All the new identified parameters and limits of parameters for review need the further investigation. It is recommended to Pak EPA for conducting the revision of NEQS and add maximum parameters in quality standards, also use the updated practices for designing the quality standards to get the maximum efficiency in controlling the environment as well to restrict the damage from base source. Supervised by Dr. Said Akbar Khan Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/14592 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/14593 HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION OF VEGETABLES IRRIGATED WITH WASTE WATER IN GUJRANWALA DISTRICT, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN ZARNAB AZHAR, 01-263182-007 Heavy metals are the foremost contaminants of food crops especially vegetables, hence considered a peril to environment. Wastewater irrigation as a substitute to freshwater has further aggravated the situation by increasing metal load in agricultural soils and food commodities especially vegetables. Intake of heavy metals via consumption of contaminated vegetables is notorious for a wide variety of deleterious health impacts in human population. In Gujranwala, along with other sources such as tube well and canal water irrigation, wastewater irrigation in urban and peri-urban areas for the cultivation of vegetables is a common practice which could be a potential source of metal contamination. The study area hosts several commercial and industrial centers as well as support a good amount of agriculture. The current study was therefore carried out is to evaluate concentration of toxic metals viz Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickle, Mercury and Arsenic in vegetables (chilli, tomato, onion, spinach, okra, coriander, watermelon, cauliflower, capsicum and bitter gourd) irrigated with waste water, tubwell water and canal water in Gujranwala and estimate associated health risk in the inhabitants due to dietary exposure via consumption of afore mentioned vegetables. The concentration levels of Pb, Cr, Cd, As and Hg assessed with the aid of atomic absorption spectrophotometer in vegetables were in range 0.09 - 6.46, 0.00 - 7.69, 0.01 - 4.32, 0.00 - 2.31 and 0.00 - 0.78 mg/kg respectively. Overall trend generated on the basis mean concentration in vegetables is Pb> Cr > Cd > As > Hg. Hazard Index (HI) values for cauliflower (2.95), spinach (1.68), onion (1.42), chilli (1.24), watermelon (1.05) and coriander (1.03) were exceeding 1 for adults, whereas for children HI values for cauliflower (4.42), spinach (2.59), onion (2.21), chilli (1.78), tomato (1.63), coriander (1.62), watermelon (1.60) and okra (1.34) were higher the standard indicating potential non-carcinogenic risk associated with their consumption on a longer run. Results revealed that children are at higher risk than adults. Cancer risks associated with Pb, Cr, Cd and As ranged 1.74E-06 - 1.05E-05, 1.13E-04 - 6.40E-04, 1.27E-05 - 2.67E-04 and 0.00E+00 - 9.74E-04 respectively forv adult consumers. In children risk of cancer was higher for Pb, Cr, Cd and As, ranging from 3.74E-06 - 2.24E-05, 1.62E-04 - 9.22E-04, 1.83E-05 - 3.85E-04 and 0.00E+00 - 1.40E-03 respectively. It can be concluded that consumers are at low cancer risk due to consumption of vegetables understudy. However, heavy metals even at low concentration are not desirable and continuous monitoring on regular basis is a dire need for safe and health consumption of vegetables as well as to avoid ecological hazards. Supervised by Mr. Asif Javed Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/14593 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/14595 ASSESSING PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE REGARDING SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AFTER THE BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS (A CASE STUDY OF G-6 & F-7 SECTORS OF ISLAMABAD) SAJID HUSSAIN, 01-263182-005 Solid waste management is usually regarded as a major environmental issues-particularly in larger cities, however until now its generation is unavoidable and highly neglected in most developing countries as it was not a big issue earlier, but now it turned out to be a great problem and widely known concept to municipal authorities throughout the world. This study aimed at understanding the perception and attitude of people of G-6 and F-7 sectors on the ban of plastic bags and the corresponding changes in various attributes and usage associated with it. This study used a cross-sectional survey method and data was collected from 281 households, 99 shopkeepers, and 20 C.D.A officials through a questionnaire survey. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results showed that 96 % of residents of G-6, 86 % of F-7, and 81% of kachi abadi are in favor of a ban on plastic bags. Results also showed that the perception and attitude of females are better than males towards the ban and use of alternative plastic bags. The results showed that the level of solid waste management awareness among households of F-7 sectors recorded a higher level of solid waste management awareness as compared to the G-6 sector & residents of kachi abadi. The government should enforce strict compliance by enforcing laws regarding the ban on plastic bags not only in Islamabad but all over the country to protect the environment. Supervised by Dr. Asif Javed Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/14595 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/14594 AWARENESS AND PRACTICES ON HOSPITAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN POLYCLINIC HOSPITAL, ISLAMABAD IQRA FAYYAZ, 01-263182-001 The study consists of hospital waste management processes of Polyclinic Hospital. The hospital is situated in sector G6/2 of Islamabad. It is government owned teaching hospital. Proper management of healthcare waste is a critical concern in many resource constrained countries of the world. Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world with one of the highest urbanization and population growth rates in South Asia. This study was meant to determine waste management practices in capital city of Pakistan. The hospital was thoroughly analyzed for a week to quantify its wastes by category using a digital balance. This is a crosssectional descriptive study, aimed to analyze HWM practices of Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad to describe the qualitative and quantitative results of analysis, observations, interviews, and data collected from different groups of hospital staff by questionnaire. Research was conducted from 1st, Feb to 25th March 2021. Objective of study was to evaluate the current risk waste management practices and compliance level with hospital waste management rules-2005 and to determine the characteristics of hospital wastewater in these hospitals. The HWM practices in hospital were systematic but the hospital staff handling the waste was not fully aware of accurate segregation of the hospital wastes. Our findings reveal a major policy implementation gap among the government andthe hospitals. Wastewater parameters of hospital revealed that wastewater was contaminating the water resources. Effective implementation of waste management strategies, Monitoring. Motivation, Communication, and awareness at all levels is the key to success. Hospital wastewater treatment is not a priority in hospital. It is need of the day that all heath care facilities must follow the national guidelines on HWM and there should be a documented andapproved waste management protocol which should be strictly implemented. Supervised by Dr. Asif Javed Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/14594 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z