The future megacity of Faisalabad is of prime interest when considering environmental health because of its bulky population and abundant industrial and anthropogenic sources of coarse particles (PM₁₀) and fine airborne particulate matter (PM_2.5). The current study was aimed to investigate the concentration level of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, also the characterization of carbonaceous aerosols including organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and total carbon (TC) in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ samples collected from five different sectors (residential, health, commercial, industrial, and vehicular zone). The data presented here are the first of their kind in this sprawling city having industries and agricultural activities side by side. Results of the study revealed that the mass concentration of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ is at an elevated level throughout Faisalabad, with ambient PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ points that constantly exceeded the 24-h standards of US-EPA, and National Environment Quality Standards (NEQS) which poses harmful effects on the quality of air and health. The total carbon concentration varied between 21.33 and 206.84 μg/m³, and 26.08 and 211.15 μg/m³ with an average of 119.16 ± 64.91 μg/m³ and 124.71 ± 64.38 μg/m³ for PM_2.5 in summer and winter seasons, respectively. For PM₁₀, the concentration of TC varied from 34.52 to 289.21 μg/m³ with an average of 181.50 ± 87.38 μg/m³ (for summer season) and it ranged between 44.04 and 300.02 μg/m³ with an average of 191.04 ± 87.98 μg/m³ (winter season), respectively. No significant difference between particulate concentration and weather parameters was observed. Similarly, results of air quality index (AQI) and pollution index (PI) stated that the air quality of Faisalabad ranges from poor to severely pollute. In terms of AQI, moderate pollution was recorded on sampling sites in the following order; Ittehad Welfare Dispensary > Saleemi Chowk > Kashmir Road > Pepsi Factory, while at Nazria Pakistan Square and Allied Hospital, higher AQI values were recorded. The analysis and results presented in this study can be used by policy-makers to apply rigorous strategies that decrease air pollution and the associated health effects in Faisalabad.

The rapid increase in population growth due to industrialization and urbanization has resulted in air quality deterioration in Pakistan. Consequently, a considerable increase has been seen in the types of sources of air pollutants. However, the air quality of the country has deteriorated in the absence of management capabilities against air quality. Evidence from numerous governmental organizations and international bodies has specified that the environment, health, and quality of life are at high risk due to air pollution. Although the government of Pakistan established the Pakistan Clean Air Program, along with continuous monitoring stations to manage the quality of ambient air, air quality values have not yet been achieved. The present investigations were made in the city of Faisalabad in selected locations. Sampling of a 24 h average was done for selected sites. The air quality parameters such as NO₂, SO₂, CO_x, O₂, noise level, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) were measured at two locations, i.e., Khurrianwala and Liaqatabad in the Faisalabad District. The measured values of air quality parameters were compared with national environmental quality standards (NEQS). Air pollutants such as SPM, SO₂, and noise levels were found to be significantly higher than the 24-h standards of NEQS, which poses harmful effects on the quality of air and health, whereas the O₂ concentration was found to be lower than the normal values, and NO₂ and CO_x values were normal. The SO₂, CO₂, noise level, SPM, and O₂ values ranged from 418–652 and 423–661 µg/m³, 3.03–3.44 and 3.08–3.51 mg/m³, 68–73 and 69–75 dB, 555–667 and 581–682 µg/m³, and 19.5–20 and 19.5–20.3 % for summer and winter season, respectively, as compared to standard values (150 µg/m³, 10 mg/m³, 65 dB, 550 µg/m³ and 21%). After the complete analysis of the selected locations, it was concluded that the ambient air quality of this area is severely degraded due to industrial as well as other commercial activities. These significant variations in air quality parameters suggest that there is a need to check the air quality regularly to take appropriate measures for reducing ambient air pollutants, especially in industrial areas as well as commercial areas.