Air Pollution and Its Effect on Human Health: A Case Study in Dera Ghazi Khan Urban Areas, Pakistan

Abstract

Presently, air pollution is a principal global health threats which is responsible for enhancing the chances for spreading of many chronic diseases. This problem occurred over past few decades due to fast growth in urbanization, industrialization and massive of vehicles volume in developed and under developed countries.  The contaminated air leads the detrimental effects on the human health. Principal air pollutants are particulate matter, sulpher dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, carbon monoxide and ozone. When the level of these pollutants is increased at certain degree, the outcome may cause serious respiratory problems which lead to happening of deaths. In recent years, rapidly increasing population, economic and educational developments in the city brought a huge pressure of traffic. So, the current study was planned to determine the roots and examine the awful consequences of air pollution on the humanity health. Public opinions on exposure are severe in examining human reaction and adoption of concerned strategies. Hence, viewing people’ perception is vital in establishing the plan of suitable managing actions.  We arranged this study in Dera Ghazi Khan City to obtain the local people know-how of the existing air pollution situation and their postures towards measures to control of air pollution. Multistage sampling technique was applied for the selection of 120 respondents and data was collected by developing questioners.  Most of the interviewees illustrated that air pollution is very hazardous for the people health and is responsible for the cause of many diseases.

Keywords: Air Pollution, Human health, Pollutants, Environment, Dera Ghazi Khan