Home > New Insight into the Levels, Distribution and Risk Diagnosis of Flame Retardants Frs in Potable Water, Air and Dust from Different Altitudinal Zones of Pakistan
New Insight into the Levels, Distribution and Risk Diagnosis of Flame Retardants Frs in Potable Water, Air and Dust from Different Altitudinal Zones of Pakistan
Currently limited information/knowledge is available about the occurrence, sources and distribution of flame retardants (FRs) in the potable water, air and dust as well as their associated health risk to the exposed human population. This is the first study designed to probe selected flame retardants (FRs) in the indoor and outdoor air and dust as well as potable water samples at different altitudinal zones (industrial, rural and background) of Pakistan with special emphasis upon their occurrence, distribution and associated health risk diagnosis. Therefore, the selected FRs viz., Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), Dechlorane plus (DP), Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs)) in a total of 38 air (indoor and outdoor), 82 dust (indoor and outdoor) and 39 potable water samples were collected from different altitudinal zones. The targeted FRs were analyzed by Gas chromatograph Agilent 7890A coupled to mass spectrometer (5973C MSD) in electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) and GC/MS-MS Agilent 7000A triple Quad operating in Selective ion mode (SIM). Results for the targeted FRs in the air (indoor and outdoor) samples collected from different altitudinal zones showed the trends as: ΣNBFRs > ΣPBDEs > ΣDP, While for the dust (indoor and outdoor) samples were ranked: ΣOPFRs > ΣNBFRs > ΣPBDEs > ΣDP. Significant correlation among FRs in the indoor and outdoor air at different altitudinal zones suggested similar source origin of FRs used in different consumer goods. Significant correlation in the FRs levels between the indoor and outdoor dust suggested the potential intermixing of these compounds between different environmental matrices. Similarly, Principal component analysis (PCA)/Multiple linear regression (MLR) predicted the percent contribution of FRs from different consumer products in the indoor and outdoor dust of industrial, rural and background zones to trace their source origin. Furthermore, air mass trajectories for air samples revealed that movement of air over industrial area sources influenced concentrations of FRs at rural sites. While, for dust samples, the forward and backward air mass trajectories showed that the FRs detected in the background zones reveal the dust-bound FRs suspended in the air might be shifted from different warmer zones or consumers products available/used in the same zones. Elevated concentrations of FRs in the potable water samples were revealed in the industrial zones followed by rural and background zones, while the decreasing trends for FRs in the potable water samples highlighted were: ΣOPFRs > ΣPBDEs > ΣNBFRs > ΣDP due to the much higher water solubility for OPFRs as compared to the other BFRs. Among the analyzed FRs, Tris-(2-chloroisopropyl)-phosphate (ΣTCPP), anti-DP, BDE-47 and 1,2- bis(pentabromodiphenyl)ethane (DBDPE) were the dominant compounds in three selected zones. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that most of the FRs are associated with the industrial zones. It is suggested that FRs might be leached out from wastewater bodies and subsequently mixed with nearby potable water facilities. FRs may also spill out from the aluminum or plastic pipes and tanks most commonly used for potable water storage in Pakistan. xv The FRs concentrations, estimated daily intake (EDI) and the hazard quotient (HQ) in potable water, air and dust samples were recorded higher in toddlers as compared to adults. Moreover, the indoor air and dust samples showed higher FRs levels, EDI and HQ than outdoor air and dust samples. It was found that in air, dust and potable water samples an elevated FRs concentrations, EDI and HQ were recorded in the industrial zones followed by rural and background zones. HQs for FRs in the Children/toddlers and adults via potable water consumption and indoor and outdoor dust were <1 highlighting no risk to the vulnerable population. While on the other hand, the HQ values >1 in toddlers and adults population warrants a health risk for BDE-47 and -99 in most of the indoor and outdoor air samples at the industrial zones; while for BDE-47 in the toddlers at indoor and outdoor air samples in some sites at the rural zones of Gujrat and Gujranwala, Pakistan. The results of this study will provide a baseline record for FRs (PBDEs, DP, NBFRs and OPFRs) concentrations in the indoor and outdoor air, dust and potable water at different altitudinal zones in Pakistan. Strict implementations in regard of FRs associated products are needed to minimize the future health concerns through FRs exposure. Alternative products should be introduced to reduce the hazards from FRs. Furthermore, detailed studies are required to assess the long range transport of FRs and modeling approaches for better understanding of their distribution in different environmental compartments. Key words: Flame retardants, Air, Dust, Potable water, Exposure pathways, Pakistan
مرزا سلطان احمد افسوس ہے کہ اعظم گڑھ کی ممتاز مقبول شخصیت مرزا سلطان احمد صاحب رٹائر ممبر بورڈ آف ریونیو نے طویل علالت کے بعد گزشتہ ۱۷؍ فروری کو انتقال کیا وہ پرانے علیگ اور اپنے زمانہ کے لائق ترین عہدہ داروں میں تھے، اپنی قابلیت سے ڈپٹی کلکٹری سے کلکٹری اور بورڈ کی ممبری تک ترقی کی اور جہاں رہے اپنی دیانتداری اور شرافت سے مقبول و نیک نام رہے، بڑے عہدہ داروں میں ایسے شریف اور خلیق انسان کم دیکھنے میں آئے ہیں، ان کا خمیر ہی اخلاق و شرافت سے گوندھا گیا تھا، ادنی و اعلیٰ ہر شخص کے ساتھ ان کا اخلاق یکساں تھا، ہر ملنے والے کے ساتھ کوئی نہ کوئی ایسی خصوصیت ضرور برتتے تھے جس سے اس کو یہ محسوس ہوتا کہ وہ اس کے ساتھ خاص تعلق رکھتے ہیں۔ بڑے وضعدار، فیاض اور مہمان نواز تھے جس سے جس قسم کے تعلقات تھے، اس کو عمر بھر نباہا، ملازمت کے زمانہ میں ان کا دستر خوان بڑا وسیع اور گھر مستقل مہمان خانہ تھا، ان کے اعزہ و احباب میں سے کوئی نہ کوئی ان کے یہاں مستقل مقیم رہتا تھا اور جس کو ضرورت ہوتی اس کی نقدی سے بھی مدد کرتے تھے، ہر حاجت مند کی مدد کے لیے ہر وقت تیار رہتے تھے اور اس کے لیے ایسے کام کر گزرتے تھے جس کی ہمت ہر شخص نہیں کرسکتا، وہ بڑے تنخواہ دار تھے لیکن جو کچھ کمایا سب صرف کردیا، اعظم گڑھ میں دو ہی ایسے شخص تھے جنھوں نے بہت پیدا کیا، مگر اپنے بعد کچھ نہیں چھوڑا، ایک مرزا صاحب، دوسرے اقبال سہیل مرحوم ملازمت سے ریٹائر ہونے کے بعد حکومت نے ان کے سامنے پبلک سروس کمیشن کی ممبری پیش کی، مگر انھوں نے وطن چھوڑنا پسند نہ کیا اور اعظم...
This research is conducted, in order to analyze the students’ academic performance at secondary school level in Pakistan. This is a case study conducted in Hyderabad Division of Sindh Province in Pakistan. The study was focused to the students who have passed matriculation class (Class-X), equivalent to secondary level in Pakistan(10 years of education). Sample size of 1097 higher Secondary level students were randomly selected from various colleges and schools in a way that around 150 students should take part in the survey from each institute. The sample selection was further divided on gender (Male = 448, Female = 648) and locale (Urban=455, Rural=641) basis. A data collection questionnaire was developed by the researchers and implemented for data collection. After collection of the data from desired population, the statistical analysis based on Pearson’s Chi-square and Correlation models were carried out in SPSS. The conclusion inferred from the data analysis of the study, strongly revealed that the students’ academic achievement at high school secondary level was highly associated to their parent’s educational level and socio-economic background. Therefore, it is strongly recommended financial condition of the population must be enhanced by taking appropriate measures. In order to coup tough financial conditions at their homes, deprived students should be provided adequate scholarships. Free stationary and books should also be provided at schools.
This dissertation investigates and looks at the process and structure of ethnic federal arrangement in Pakistan. Pakistan contains around 210 million individuals and roughly around 50 ethnic and linguistic groups. The “ethnic-federal” experiment devolving powers to ethnic groups or provinces goes against the centralized nation building of the previous governments. The previous governments utilized an alternate model; they gave much accentuation to ''Pakistani nationalism'' as a bringing together idea and promotes centralization instead of ethnic or provincial autonomy. In any case, in 1973 and after that in 2010, the new ruling party in power, who had begun their development for provincial self-rule, has upheld ethnic-federalism by focusing on that it could engage and adjust the various ethnic groups and lessen conflict. Thus, the overall unified structure of the past regimes has been supplanted by a “federal” framework'' comprises of four ethnically provinces with local government selfadministrative districts that could practice their very own political power and legitimate identities. Accordingly, ethnicity and federalism have turned into the central point in sorting out the political and regional space in the Pakistan. Since the presentation of the eighteenth amendment in 2010, there have been wideranging claims particularly by several Pakistani scholars that federal structure would bring political stability. This short period of survival may not be sufficient to assure the continuation or sustainability of the framework; however it triggers an enthusiasm to see how it has able to endure and furthermore to take part in finding the conceivable clarifications with respect to the trend and pattern of the rebuilding procedure. In this manner, this investigation made a close analysis and examination of the procedure so as to decide if ethnic federalism in Pakistan is a fitting model to bring political stability and enable and equalize the various and unique ethnic communities with regards to united and workable Pakistani state.