There has been no serious study of the impacts of air pollution in Pakistan.

Air pollution is also acknowledged to be a contributory factor in the increased incidence of smog in large cities in the winter season.

The level of all the major contaminants in the atmosphere has exceeded the given standard, which is not only harming the environment and the city’s ecosystem, but also causing an increase in the number of diseases related to lungs and various types of cancer.

The major sources of all these pollutants include furnaces and other factories – mostly operating around the walled city and in the peripherals of Lahore

The environmental impacts of Mercury and its compounds are globally wide spread and deep rooted due to its high toxicity. Four provinces of Pakistan have been inspected for first time during present study for mercury exposure to environment.

The maximum mercury released in Kg/Year has been estimated as 1625.11 in extraction process, fuel and energy sources; 2500 in Cement production; 21120 in Chlor-alkali production; 1071.79 in Consumer products with intentional use of mercury; 5779 in other intentional products/process uses and 4637.55 in Waste deposition/land filling and waste water treatment indicating total cumulative release of 36898.77 Kg/year.

The total minimum per year emission and transfer of mercury in Pakistan is 10842 Kg represents 637.76 mg per capita per year exposure of mercury which is highly alarming figure.

To develop the basic data about the inventory of mercury and mercury products in Pakistan. To identify the mercury exposure resources in the country. To identify the groups of people at more risk. To create the awareness in the general public regarding the toxicity of mercury. To attempt the replacement of mercury containing commodities. To develop strategies to reduce the risk of

mercury exposure.

Identification of mercury and mercury products uses and releases by

federal/provincial EPA’s. The selection of areas susceptible/effected for mercury

contamination in the country. Collection of samples of water, air and soil from the country Data collection of mercury and mercury products from

mercury usage markets/industries in the country. Technical working group and consultation meetings of all stakeholders. Preparation of baseline data/inventory of mercury and

mercury products about the current situation in the country.

Identification of Sampling Points for Mercury Inventory in Pakistan Name of Province Main Sampling Points 1 Punjab Chlor-alkali plant, cement industries, power plants, glass, ceramic, steel re-rolling mills, waste incinerators etc 2 Sindh Sugar Mills, pulp & paper industry, paint and pharmaceutical, cosmetic, informal dumping sites etc 3 N.W.F.P Cement, chip board, mining, lamps manufacturing, fiber etc 4 Balochistan Quetta and Hub Industrial zones, waste incinerator etc 5 Islamabad Capital Territory Industrial area, steel re-rolling mill, marble cutting, pharmaceutical, plastic etc Liquids: Streams/ waste drain channels: One litre liquid sample should be taken from three depth levels, well mixed in a polyethylene container and filled in a 120 ml sample bottle (polyethylene), containing 20 drops of dilute HNO3.

Liquids: Streams/ waste drain channels: One litre liquid sample should be taken from three depth levels, well mixed in a polyethylene container and filled in a 120 ml sample bottle (polyethylene), containing 20 drops of dilute HNO3. Stagnant liquid reservoirs: One litre liquid sample should be taken from three depth levels at four points in 10 meters rectangle, well mixed in a polyethylene container and filled in a 120 ml sample bottle (polyethylene), containing 20 drops of dilute HNO3.

Solids: Dry samples: 200 gms of the soil or other dried mass be collected in a zipper bag

and sealed immediately. Sludge: Sludge underneath a water channel, 200 gms sample should be

taken and be packed in dual zipper bags or if possible filled in 120 ml

polyethylene bottle using a funnel containing 20 drops of dilute HNO3. Labeling: All the sample bottles/ bags must be immediately labeled using a

permanent ink marker over a small strip of paper tape.

Ittehad chemicals Outlet. 1 2.3

Ittehad chemicals Outlet. 2 0.4

Ittehad chemicals Outlet. 3 3.1

Ittehad chemicals Outlet. 4 2.7

Ittehad chemicals Solid Waste. 1 0.77

Ittehad chemicals Solid Waste. 2 0.4

Ittehad chemicals Solid Waste. 3 0

This exercise included the followings steps: 1. Selection of areas susceptible to / effected by

mercury contamination in the country. 2. Data collection of mercury and mercury 3. products from mercury usage

markets/industries in the country 4. Preparation of baseline data/inventory of

mercury and mercury products about the current situation

in the country.

The Act includes provisions on both mercury exports and long-term mercury management and storage, implementation of the act will remove a significant amount of mercury from the market.

The Act's three main provisions are the following:

Federal agencies are prohibited from conveying, selling or distributing elemental mercury that is under their control or jurisdiction. This includes stockpiles held by the Departments of Energy and Defense.

Export of elemental mercury is prohibited

Non-mercury alternatives for the specified use are not available in the country where the facility is located.

There is no other source of elemental mercury available from domestic supplies (not including new mercury mines) in the country where the elemental mercury will be used.

The country where the elemental mercury will be used certifies its support for the exemption.

The export will be conducted in such a manner as to ensure the elemental mercury will be used at the identified facility and not otherwise diverted for other uses for any reason.

The elemental mercury will be used in a manner that will protect human health and the environment, taking into account local, regional, and global human health and environmental effects.

The elemental mercury will be handled and managed in a manner that will protect human health and the environment, taking into account local, regional, and global human health and environmental effects.

The export of elemental mercury for the specified use is consistent with international obligations of the Pakistan intended to reduce mercury supply, use, and pollution.

Ozone and particle pollution (Cross-State Air Pollution Rule)

Greenhouse gas emissions Mercury and air toxics Reduction of Toxic Air Pollutants from Mercury

Cell Chlor-Alkali Plants Rule .The final rule reduces mercury emissions from mercury cell chlor-alkali plants that are considered "major sources" of hazardous air pollutants as well as facilities considered to be "area sources". Mercury cell chlor-alkali plants produce chlorine and caustic using mercury cells.

Activated Carbon Injection Systems

Scrubbers: Wet

Scrubbers: Dry

Chlor-alkali plants will be regulated through permits. Each plant will be required to reduce its annual emissions of mercury below 95 percent from 1999 levels.

Chlor-alkali plants use a mercury cell process in electrolysis for the production of caustic soda and chlorine gas, but new processes have been developed to curtail mercury emissions during production.

To analyze the effectiveness of, it will be necessary to employ monitoring

technologies that can measure the emissions of mercury into the air and analyze mercury concentrations in the water. Effective technologies to monitor mercury emissions currently exist, although additional research is necessary for advancement in the precision and efficiency of monitoring procedures.

The quantity of mercury entering the municipal waste stream must also be assessed by examining the recycling and proper disposal of mercury containing products.

The EAF is a composite value and is the product of the prevalence of a risk factor multiplied by the relative risk of disease associated with that risk factor. Its calculation is useful in developing strategies for resource allocation and prioritization in public health. The general model developed by the IOM and used in the present analysis is the following

Protect public health

Overdue reductions lead to vital health benefits—Until now there were no national limits on emissions of mercury and other air toxics from power plants. Uncontrolled releases of toxic air

pollutants like mercury – a neurotoxin – can impair children’s ability to learn.

Practical, cost‐effective and protective standards

These standards will end 20 years of industry uncertainty while leveling the playing

field for power plants, ensuring that modern pollution controls are installed.

Reliable, affordable energy—The standards clean the air and keep the lights on.

The Mercury and Air Toxics

Standards Will Prevent:

Once Implemented

(cases each year)

Premature Death Up to 11,000

Chronic Bronchitis 2,800

Heart Attacks 4,700

Asthma Attacks 130,000

Hospital and Emergency Room Visits 5,700

Restricted Activity Days 3,200,000

• Together, MATS and the Cross‐State Air Pollution Rule are estimated to provide annual benefits of $150‐$380 billion and prevent 18,000 – 46,000 premature deaths, 540,000 asthma attacks, 13,000 emergency room visits

and 2 million missed work or school day each year.

While the Clean Mercury Rule will begin to incrementally reduce emissions from coal fired power plants, the Mercury Emission Act will drastically reduce such emissions from coal combustion and virtually eliminate releases of mercury from the household product incineration within the next five years.

The control technologies necessary to achieve a large portion of these reductions are already commercially available. Over the course of the bill, the labeling and separation of products containing mercury will increase awareness about mercury in household products.