MS(ES) (BUES)

Analysis of Drinking Water Quality of Tehsil Kotli Sattiyan, District Murree, Punjab, Pakistan

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

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

Evaluation of Human Health Implications and Water Quality Assessment of Drinking Water From Filtration Plants In Islamabad, Pakistan

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Evaluation of Human Health Implications and Water Quality Assessment of Drinking Water From Filtration Plants In Islamabad, Pakistan Memoona Javed, 01-262232-007 Pakistan's freshwater resources are declining in terms of both quantity and quality, and the consequences of this are being exacerbated by population growth and climate change. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the water quality of filtration plants located across Islamabad as well as to evaluate the health risks associated with trace elements in drinking water from Islamabad's filtration plants. A total of 95 samples were examined for heavy metals, physio-chemical parameters, and biological parameters. Physical characteristics like pH, electrical conductivity, TDS, turbidity, and color were all within the WHO permissible range, except for one turbidity sample that exceeded the limit. Similarly, all the chemical parameters including calcium, magnesium, salt, alkalinity, chloride, and hardness were within the acceptable range, with the exception of one hardness sample that exceeded the WHO permitted limit. For microbial analysis, there was zero Fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria growth. However, some samples i.e., 21 samples showed total coliform bacteria growth beyond the permissible limit of WHO. Additionally, a health survey of 200 households was also carried out within the study area to evaluate demographics, patterns of drinking water consumption, awareness level, and the prevalence of water-borne diseases. Seven elements (Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Fe, Cr and As) were detected in each sample. Hazard quotients (HQ) for filtration plants was determined to be in the following order: Pb > As > Cr > Cd > Ni > Zn > Fe. This indicates that there may be a potential health risk to the surrounding people. Every element that was detected had an overall mean concentration that was below the permissible drinking water limit. Health risk questionnaire revealed that a significant section of the population depends on filtration plants for their daily water consumption, and the questionnaire indicated that diarrhea was the most prevalent water-related problem affecting the local population. As per the study, the primary cause of Islamabad's water quality issue, was majorly microbiological contamination and trace element pollution to some extent. Supervised by Dr. Said Akbar Khan

Assessment of Silica Dust Exposure and Pulmonary Impairments Among Marble and Granite Workers in Islamabad, Pakistan

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Assessment of Silica Dust Exposure and Pulmonary Impairments Among Marble and Granite Workers in Islamabad, Pakistan Lamia Shafqat, 01-262231-004 Silica exposure in marble and granite quarries poses a serious threat to human health and the environment in Islamabad, Pakistan. This study aims to assess the prevalence of pulmonary impairments among quarry workers and analyze the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 particles comprising silica in marble and granite factories. The study uses a cross-sectional research approach and combines elemental analysis, spirometry evaluation, and low-volume air sampling to measure environmental and human health parameters. Using a low-volume sampler, samples of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) were collected from major processing units i.e. wet sawing, polishing, and sealing, kitchen countertop fabrication and cluster (where all the processes were being done simultaneously and their silica and heavy metal content were examined using ICP-MS and SEM-EDX techniques. Results showed that silica concentrations in PM10 and PM2.5 reached 133.9 µg/m³ and 141.9 µg/m³ respectively in the wet sawing unit, both exceeding the NIOSH occupational exposure limit (50 µg/m³). SEM-EDX analysis revealed irregular quartz-rich particulates with angular morphology and sharp edges, indicating high pulmonary deposition potential. Health risk assessments found the lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) for chromium in PM₁₀ up to 3.9 × 10⁻³, far exceeding the USEPA acceptable limit (<1 × 10⁻⁶). For silica (Si), the LTCR ranged from 2.1 × 10⁻⁴ to 2.7 × 10⁻⁴ across all processing units, also above the USEPA’s tolerable threshold, indicating a significant carcinogenic potential. In terms of non-cancerous risk, the hazard quotient (HQ) for manganese reached 9,160 and iron 4,890, both in PM₁₀, signaling extremely elevated risk. For silica, HQ values across units ranged from 9.7 to 12.3, consistently above the acceptable limit of 1, confirming that silica exposure alone poses a substantial chronic inhalation risk to workers. All tested units demonstrated HQ > 1 for multiple elements, underlining unacceptable exposure levels throughout the industry. Questionnaire analysis showed that 52% of workers reported persistent cough, 49% experienced shortness of breath, and 41% complained of wheezing. Additionally, 36% noted limitations in physical activity due to breathing difficulty, reflecting a strong symptom burden. Concurrently, spirometry on male workers aged 18 to 60 demonstrated a high prevalence of pulmonary abnormalities, including restrictive and obstructive lung function patterns. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between dust exposure levels and reduced lung function indicators, including FEV1 and FVC.Based on the findings, the study recommends targeted interventions in Islamabad's marble and granite quarries, such as the installation of localised dust suppression systems in high-risk zones, the provision and mandatory use of silica-rated personal protective equipment (PPE), and regular medical surveillance with spirometry assessments for all quarry workers. Furthermore, stringent enforcement of water-based dust control in wet cutting and grinding activities, as well as awareness training for workers and supervisors on silica dangers and safe practices, is critical to reducing health risks and improving occupational safety standards in the region. Supervised by Dr. Fiza Sarwar

Climate Resilient Gender-Specific Flood Management Planning Based on 2022 and Future Floods in Chail Bishigram Sub-Basin of Swat River Basin

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Climate Resilient Gender-Specific Flood Management Planning Based on 2022 and Future Floods in Chail Bishigram Sub-Basin of Swat River Basin Fatima Shah, 01-262232-004 Floods are one of the most devastating natural disasters in Pakistan, and the mountainous basins in the north of the country are most susceptible to them because of steep gradients, sensitive ecosystems, and reliance on subsistence agriculture. ChailBishigram sub-basin of the Swat River Basin is a region that is of high-risk since floods have been frequent here, and especially in the 2010 and 2022 catastrophic floods, it has caused immense damages. In the 2022 flood, Chail-Bishigram suffered severe losses with 4,100 houses damaged (96 fully), 2 shops washed away, more than 10 RCC and 8 suspension bridges, 19 irrigation channels, 450 Kanal of farmland, and 30 hatcheries destroyed. Future projections indicate that the 100-year historic flood affected 576 people, while the future floods under SSP 2-4.5 and SSP 5-8.5 scenarios are likely to affect 617 and 700 people by completely damaging their houses. This study explored the gender-specific flood risk in the sub-basin, through employing a combined-method (hydrology modelling and community-based surveys) to investigate the dynamics of gender-specific flood risks. Historic and future floods have been estimated using HECHMS together with CMIP-6 climate data under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP 2-4.5 and SSP 5-8.5) scenarios. The historic and future flood frequency has been carried out using HEC-HSSP. The analysis show that future floods will become more intense and recurring. A 100-year return period historic and futuristic floods have been hydraulically modeled using HEC-RAS. The floods impact on settlements inundation has been estimated using 100-year return period flood plains for the historic and future periods. The gender-specific flood 2022 impacts have been assessed using a wellstructured Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) of 60 respondents (30 men and 30 women) in Chail-Bishigram subbasin. It is noteworthy that there was obvious genderdifferentiated impacts of the 2022 flood in the study area. Females experienced serious problems associated with limited mobility, poor hygiene, and additional caregiving responsibilities, whereas males recognized significant economic losses due to crop failures and livestock losses. These two groups highlighted the lack of effective early warning systems and low preparedness at the community level. Based on these results, a gender inclusive flood management plan was designed, with greater emphasis on fair representation in disaster committees, better water and sanitation services, diversification of livelihoods, and enforcement of land-use planning to minimize flood related hazard exposure. The research finds that resilience in Chail-Bishigram subbasin needs not only scientifically based hydrological planning, but also socially inclusive planning which considers the differentiated vulnerabilities of men and women so that disaster risk reduction can be promoted in a just and sustainable manner. Supervised by Dr. Fiza Sarwar