National Technical Workshop on Air Pollution Assessment
Organized by Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, University of Gujrat
The Success Story
Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Gujrat Organized One Day National Technical Workshop on Air Pollution Assessment in Collaboration with Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Govt. of Punjab, Pakistan, partially sponsored by Integrated Environmental Consultancy, Lahore and Venus Technologies, Lahore on 07th June, 2012.
Prof Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddine, The Vice Chancellor, University of Gujrat as Pattern in Chief, Prof Dr. Muhammad Faheem Malik, Director, Institute of Chemical and Biological Sciences as Pattern whereas, Dr. Muhammad Danish, Chairman Department of Chemistry, being Chief Organizer organized the National Technical Workshop with his team consisted of Mr. Muhammad Waseem Mumtaz as Organizing Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Asam Raza, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq, Ms. Sumaira Usman and Mr. Aadil Abbas from Department of Chemistry and Ms. Aysha Saddique from Department of Environmental Sciences
Registration of the Participants:
With the consent of Representative from Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the organizing committee decided to register 100 participants for the workshop and as per schedule the poster for the workshop was advertized on the web. But it was astonishing for the organizers, that just after the advertisement within first half an hour almost 100 students and researchers from all over the Pakistan applied for the registration. Taking into consideration of participation intensity the organizing committee again with the consent of EPD representative increased the number from 100 to 150 participants and registration was carried out. Students and Researchers from all over the Pakistan i.e. from GC University Lahore, University of Punjab, University of Education Lahore, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, University of Sargodha, Islamic International University Islamabad, Mirpur University Azad Kashmir, Integrated Environmental Lab Lahore, Apex Environmental Lab Lahore etc got registered for the workshop and their participation made the workshop National in the real sense.
Workshop day:
As per scheduled program the participants got their identity cards along with files and other printed materials from the reception desk. Ms Saleha Ashraf efficiently performed the comparing responsibility.
Ms Saleha Ashraf as compare and Hafiz Rizwan reciting the Holy Quran
The Workshop was started in video conference hall right at 10:00 AM with the recitation of Holy Quran by Hafiz Rizwan (BS-VI, Environmental Sciences). After recitation The Chairman department of Chemistry formally welcomed the participants and inaugurated the workshop highlighting the objectives of the workshop viz air pollution is a serious problem of the Pakistan today posing immense health impacts on the society and that it is need of the hour to propose suitable solution to stop further degradation of the environment.
The Chairman department of Chemistry, Dr. Muhammad Danish formally inaugurating the workshop
He also elaborated the importance of practical expertise regarding the assessment of environmental degradation as to suggest suitable recommendations at the first step we should be technical expert to characterize the environment otherwise we cannot work for the preservation of our natural environment. This was the main objective of the national workshop to train the participants from all over the Pakistan so that they can effectively play their role toward sustainable environment. No doubt this was the first technical workshop ever organized in Pakistan, where EPD shifted their whole air pollution assessment lab in University of Gujrat for training purposes.
Group Photos of the organizers and participants
Tea Break:
After the inauguration, the participants were served with tea. During the tea break photography was also done.
Lecture Session:
First lecture session was started right at 10:30 AM. The first resource person Dr. Hamid Mukhtar, Associate prof. Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, GC University Lahore was invited to present on assessment of air born microbes. The first lecture was chaired by Dr. Zahid Mahmood, from Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Mr. Maqsood Ahmad Butt, District officer, EPD Gujrat, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq, Department of Chemistry, University of Gujrat and Mr. Abdul Razaq, Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat.
The Officials chairing the first lecture
Dr. Hamid Mukhtar comprehensively explained the air sampling methods for microbial analysis, the sample preservations methods and microbial assessment. The lecture was a wealth of technical knowledge in real sense. After the lecture Participants asked questions and they were answered by Dr. Hamid Mukhtar.
Dr. Hamid Mukhtar presenting on Assessment of Air born microbes
The second lecture was delivered by Dr. Muhammad Zubair, Assistant Director Research EPD, Punjab, Pakistan and comprehensively elaborated the need of environmental monitoring for the development of sustainable environment.
The Officials chairing the second lecture
This second lecture was chaired by Dr. Farooq Anwar, associate prof. Department of Chemistry, University of Sarghodha, Dr. Muhammad Azam Mukhtar, Department of Chemistry, University of Education Lahore, Dr. Khalid Nawaz, department of Botany, University of Gujrat and Dr. Shahzad Murtaza, Department of Chemistry, University of Gujrat.
Dr. Muhammad Zubair presenting on Air pollution assessment protocols
Participants listened both the lectures with their full concentration and involvement; they clarified their concepts regarding the assessment of air born microbes and air pollution assessment methodologies by asking questions. Furthermore, the participants acknowledged the both resource persons for providing valuable knowledge.
Participant’s involvement during Lecture sessions
Training Sessions:
After the lecture session first technical training session was started in S-07 hall at 12: 15 Noon that was already equipped with the air monitoring instruments by the team from Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Govt. of Punjab, Pakistan. Dr Muhammad Zubair and Mr. Muhammad Waseem Mumtaz conducted the first training session as team leaders and gave practical demonstration regarding the assessment of air pollution using high tech instruments.
Dr. Muhammad Zubair giving demonstration on Industrial Emission Assessment
The training hall was divided into three sections i.e. industrial air pollution assessment, ambient air pollution assessment session and vehicular emission assessment section. The participants were trained regarding air pollution assessment using the following instruments; Flue Gas Analyzer, Testo 350-XL for monitoring of stack gases CO, O2. SO2, NOx (NO+NO2), H2S, hydrocarbons, GASTEC GV-100S for analysis of ambient air gases SO2, Cl2, NO2, HCl, HF, acid gases, NH3, H2S, EMF Meter, Spectran N-F-5035 for detection of electromagnetic field, Noise Frequency Analyzer, 62-X, for estimation of noise frequency level monitoring, Sound level meter Model 6226 Integrated sound meter for noise level monitoring, Smoke Meter Model 6500 for monitoring of opacity level of vehicles exhaust, Gas Analyzer, automotive for CO and HC monitoring of vehicular emissions, Odor Concentration Meter Model No = XP-329 III R for odor level monitoring, Air Sampling Kit Model BD Pump 5959-P for ambient air monitoring of ammonia (NH3), chlorine (Cl2), nitrogen dioxide NO2, total oxidants, lead, sulphur dioxide SO2 , CO Meter , 1310 Single Gas Detector for detection of carbon monoxide in air, O2 Meter , 1310 Single Gas Detector for detection of oxygen in air, Cl2 Meter, 1010 Single Gas Detector for detection of chlorine in air, EMF Meter, Spectran N-F-5035 for detection of electromagnetic field, Free Fall Dust Collection Unit for monitoring of dust in air, Portable SPM Sampler, SN 4878 for suspended particulate matter of air etc.
Technical training session-I & II
Lunch and Prayer Break:
After first technical session the participants were served again with lunch in BS-13/212. After lunch and prayer break second technical session was started right at 2:15 PM again in S-07 hall. In this session participants were divided in groups and practical expertise were given to the participants in their respective groups but now in natural environment, thus the participant physically participated in the air pollution assessment and various sites of University of Gujrat were assessed during this activity.
Closing Ceremony:
The One day National Technical Workshop came to an end with the end note by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Faheem Malik, Director Institute of Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Gujrat. The Director appreciated the efforts of the organizing team for successful organizing of the National Technical Workshop. The workshop ended with the distribution of the shields and certificates by the Director Institute of Chemical and Biological Sciences and the Chairman, Department of Chemistry to the guests, resource persons and the participants.
Shields & Certificate and Distribution Ceremony
