Industrialization, explosive population growth, anthropogenic activities, and vehicular exhaust deteriorate ambient air quality across the world. The current study aims at assessing the impacts on ambient air quality patterns and their co-relations in one of the world’s most polluted cities, i.e., Lahore, Pakistan, during a strict, moderate, and post-COVID-19 period of 28 months (March 2020–June 2022). The purpose of this study is to monitor and analyze the relationship between criteria air pollutants (SO₂, particulate matter (PM 10 and 2.5), CO, O₃, and NO₂) through a Haz-Scanner 6000 and mobile van (ambient air quality monitoring station) over nine towns in Lahore. The results showed significantly lower concentrations of pollutants during strict lockdown which increased during the moderate and post-COVID-19 lockdown periods. The post-COVID-19 period illustrates a significant increase in the concentrations of SO₂, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, CO, O₃, and NO₂, in a range of 100%, 270%, 500%, 300%, 70%, and 115%, respectively. Major peaks (pollution concentration) for PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO₂, and SO₂ were found during the winter season. Multi-linear regression models show a significant correlation between PM with NO₂ and SO₂. The ratio of increase in the PM concentration with the increasing NO₂ concentration is nearly 2.5 times higher than SO₂. A significant positive correlation between a mobile van and Haz-Scanner was observed for CO and NO₂ data as well as ground-based observation and satellite data of SO₂, NO₂, and CO. During the strict COVID-19 lockdowns, the reduction in the vehicular and industrial exhaust significantly improved the air quality of nine towns in Lahore. This research sets the ground for further research on the quantification of total emissions and the impacts of vehicular/industrial emissions on human health.

Heavy metals in cosmetics pose a high threat to human health. In the current study, heavy metals were detected in 15 locally manufactured lipsticks purchased from the native markets in Lahore, Pakistan, using three different techniques. Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cr and Ni were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry whereas Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, As and Pb were detected qualitatively using proton induced x-ray emission. X-ray diffraction identified presence of sodium erbium fluoride, quartz (SiO₂), bornite (Cu₅FeS₄), halite (NaCl), calcite (CaCO₃), sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁), green cinnabar (Co/Zn oxides), silicon and silica (SiO₂). The health risk assessment showed that there exist a potential threat to consumers due to presence of these elements in lipsticks. All samples contained heavy metals in concentrations exceeding the safe limits provided by the United States Food and Drug Administration.