PJB-2025-1547
Assessment of physico-chemical characterization and toxicological effects of rainwater aerosols particulate matter on human health and plants in Balochistan
Nida Kazmi, Manzoor Iqbal Khattak, Adnan Afridi, Munnaza Saeed and Hamid Ullah
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health effects of exposure to air pollution, with special emphasis on rainwater particulate matter. This is a significant health risk due to this exposure and it is also most prevalent in developing countries. The two industrial areas of Balochistan, Hub, and Quetta, are both affected by diverse types of industrial, urban, and human-made pollution and in this research, we have examined the makeup and health/growth impacts of air particles. The physicochemical characteristics and toxicological outcomes were investigated for these locations. Rainwater samples were used for assessing the air quality of the selected industrial zones. Physicochemical and toxicological analyses of fine particles were performed concurrently with an epidemiological study. These physicochemical investigations revealed that the samples of collected particles shared several key properties. Notably, there were dioxin concentrations up to 125 times higher close to the businesses and marginally elevated levels of trace metals. The results confirmed the need for a toxicological study in this area. These studies highlight the major effects of different combustion sources, such as burning coal, diesel, and biomass. Other industrial activities and the burning of waste are also potential contributing factors. The maximum amount of ion species of Ca2+ was found 3.521 µeq/L in Quetta and113 µeq/L in Hub. Also, the second maximum amount was of Mg2+ ion species with a value of 142 µeq/L in Quetta. These findings suggest that particulate matter may be hazardous to the lungs and point to the processes at play in the carcinogenicity of aerosol particles which are directly affecting human health. The effects of particulate matter not only cause serious diseases of health but also damages the greenhouse and increases global warming because of its contribution to the formation of cloud. The accumulation of such particulate matter on the surfaces of vegetation leads to the reduction in light as per required for photosynthesis and ultimately increase the temperature of leaves of the plants due to changes in optical properties of leaf surface
To Cite this article:
Kazmi, N., M.I. Khattak, A. Afridi, M. Saeed and H. Ullah. 2025. Assessment of physico-chemical characterization and toxicological effects of rainwater aerosols particulate matter on human health and plants in Balochistan. Pak. J. Bot., 57(6): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2025-6(7)
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