The book begins with a thorough review covering the last 25 years of environmental research from three provinces across Pakistan - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh – as well as including sites around Islamabad (Federal Capital region). Through field survey work, the author and his team, then acquires new samples and presented analytical data on these samples from 38 of hazardous wastes sites. Extensive interviews were conducted with local residents. Data was collected about environmental and health concerns and perceptions about the immediacy of necessary action to address the problems. The book concludes not with just a summary, but with a "Way Forward", in which the author presents some initial interventions including site controls, installation of remediation facilities for the treatment of hazardous wastes and distribution/creation of clean water sources for the population. It is further proposed that this is a civil issue requiring society to provide relevant information to marginalized and vulnerable groups to build awareness and understanding in those communities. Finally, Dr. Khwaja implores society to develop policy and implement legislation to protect public health and the environment.
Pakistan environmental protection act defines hazardous substance and hazardous waste (PEPA, 1997) and based on the same a contaminated site may be described as an area which because of its hazardous contaminants (toxic, explosive, flammable, corrosive, radioactive or other characteristics) cause or is likely to cause, directly or in combination with others matters, an adverse environmental effect. Some other national environmental legislations in other countries, reflect somewhat similar broad perception. A contaminated land, according to UK environment protection act 1990 (UK EPA 1990) is, "Any land which appears to the Local Authority in whose area it is situated to be in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that - significant harm is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused; or pollution of controlled waters is being, or is likely to be, caused". "Harm" means harm to the health of living organisms or other interference with the ecological systems of which they form part and, in the case of man, includes harm to his property. (UK EPA 1990)). The availability, classification and distribution of contaminants and the hazards that present, differ significantly with location (ACE, 2013). Contaminants comprise of industrial solvents, metals, petroleum by-products, radiological substances, pesticides, leftover from manufacturing processes, along with determined naturally occurring materials such as asbestos. Land contamination has harmful impacts on animal and human wellbeing, on natural environment (such as air and water) as well as inhibits economic growth and the liveliness of local inhabitants (ACE, 2013).
Abstract During the past two decades, mercury has come under increasing scrutiny with regard to its safety both in the general population and in occupationally exposed groups. It's a growing issue of global concern because of its adverse environmental and health impacts. Very few investigations on mercury amalgam use in the dentistry sector have been carried out in South Asia and there is little data reported on mercury contamination of indoor/outdoor air at dental sites. According to an earlier SDPI study, reported in 2013, alarmingly high mercury levels were observed in air (indoor as well as outdoor) at 11 of the 34 visited dental sites (17 dental teaching institutions, 7 general hospitals & 10 dental clinics) in five main cities of Pakistan. 88% of the sites indicated indoor mercury levels in air above the USA EPA reference level of 300 ng/m3. According to our study, carried out at 38 dental teaching institutions in 12 main cities (in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh provinces) of Pakistan, respondents were of the opinion that the currently offered BDS curriculum does not effectively guide outgoing dental professionals and does not provide them adequate knowledge and training about mercury/mercury amalgam and other mercury related human health and mercury waste issues. 90% of respondents supported the review and revision of the present dental curriculum offered at dental teaching institutions in the country, at the earliest. A study has also been conducted to assess the status of mercury amalgam use in private dental clinics in Gilgit, Hunza, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. More than 90 private dental clinics were visited and dental professionals/private clinics in-charge were interviewed during June–July, 2015. The focus areas of the study were Hg amalgam toxicity, its waste management practices and safety measures practiced among the dental practitioners. In the light of the findings described and discussed in this brief report, to safeguard public health and for the protection of environment, it is strongly recommended that since mercury amalgam use cannot be banned immediately in the country, its use may be regularized and allowed subject to use of "Amalgam Separators," "Capsulated Mercury" and "Mechanized Mixing," use of mercury amalgam be banned for children (below 12 years age) and pregnant women. The curriculum currently being taught at medical and dental colleges in the country be reviewed and revised, to ensure adequate training towards minimizing mercury exposure.
We have drawn two propositions, critical from a developing country viewpoint, from the trade and environment literature and assessed them for cloth and leather production in Pakistan. The first is that trade liberalization will result in export by developing countries of their environmental capital. The second is that the costs of mitigating these damaging environmental effects in the South are very high. We find that, given the state of implementation of environmental laws in Pakistan, exports induced by trade liberalization can indeed have major negative environmental impacts. However, we do not find support for the proposition that the costs of mitigation are very high. We also find that the social benefits far exceed the costs of mitigation.
