Quantification of PM₁₀ Concentration in Occupation Environment of Traffic Police Personnel in Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, Nepal

Abstract

Air pollution, particularly particulate pollution has been emerged as the major air quality issues in urban centers of Nepal including Pokhara. Pokhara is one of the major cities in Nepal located at 28.24 N, 83.99 E, and also one of the most popular tourist destinations. This study has been conducted to assess the traffic police personnel exposure to PM₁₀ (Particulate Matter of diameter 10 micron of less) in their occupational environment in Pokhara. This type study has been conducted for the first time in Pokhara.The monitoring was carried out for seven days in three shifts (morning: 7:30 am to 11:30 am, afternoon: 11:30 am to 3:30pm and evening shift: 3:30pm to 7:30pm) in three major HDTA's (High Density Traffic Areas) of Pokhara. On an average, the duration of sampling in each day was 8 hours in each of the sites. Subjective exposure to PM₁₀ was monitored by personal monitoring technique. Personal air sampler (PCXR4) manufactured by M/s SKC, USA was used. Altogether 35 samples were collected and analyzed gravimetrically in the laboratory. The overall mean concentration (averaged for 8 hours) of PM₁₀ was found to be 1559.107 μg/m³ in Mahendrapul, 1759.032 μg/m³ in B.P chowk and 1733.846 μg/m³ in Prithvi chowk. The overall mean concentration of PM₁₀ was observed higher in morning shifts (2093.790 μg/m³) than evening (1704.005 μg/m³) and afternoon (1192.670 μg/m³) shifts. PM₁₀ concentration was observed higher in Weekdays than Weekends. However, no significant difference in overall mean PM₁₀ concentration was observed in different sampling sites and week days (weekdays and weekends) at 0.05 level significance. Significant difference in PM₁₀ concentration was observed in different shifts only. It was concluded from the findings of the present study that traffic police personnel are exposed to very high level of PM₁₀ (almost 10 to 15 folds higher than National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM₁₀ for Nepal i.e. 120μg/m³) in all three HDTA's of Pokhara city.

Key words: Nepal; Pokhara; personal air sampler; occupational environment; HDTA's  

DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v4i1.2886

Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.4, No.1, September 2008, pp 73-80