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First-ever measurements of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10, and TSP) along with gaseous pollutants (CO, NO2, and SO2) were performed from June 2019 to April 2020 in Faisalabad, Metropolitan, Pakistan, to assess their seasonal variations; Summer 2019, Autumn 2019, Winter 2019-2020, and Spring 2020. Pollutant measurements were carried out at 30 locations with a 3-km grid distance from the Sitara Chemical Industry in District Faisalabad to Bhianwala, Sargodha Road, Tehsil Lalian, District Chiniot. ArcGIS 10.8 was used to interpolate pollutant concentrations using the inverse distance weightage method. PM2.5, PM10, and TSP concentrations were highest in summer, and lowest in autumn or winter. CO, NO2, and SO2 concentrations were highest in summer or spring and lowest in winter. Seasonal average NO2 and SO2 concentrations exceeded WHO annual air quality guide values. For all 4 seasons, some sites had better air quality than others. Even in these cleaner sites air quality index (AQI) was unhealthy for sensitive groups and the less good sites showed Very critical AQI (> 500). Dust-bound carbon and sulfur contents were higher in spring (64 mg g-1) and summer (1.17 mg g-1) and lower in autumn (55 mg g-1) and winter (1.08 mg g-1). Venous blood analysis of 20 individuals showed cadmium and lead concentrations higher than WHO permissible limits. Those individuals exposed to direct roadside pollution for longer periods because of their occupation tended to show higher Pb and Cd blood concentrations. It is concluded that air quality along the roadside is extremely poor and potentially damaging to the health of exposed workers.

Copper oxide catalysts (CuOx) supported on gamma alumina (γ-Al2O3) were employed for the catalytic reduction of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to elemental sulfur by methane (CH4). The catalysts were synthesized using a straightforward sol–gel method. Initially, alumina was obtained through a precipitation technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was conducted to confirm the formation of γ-Al2O3. This study aimed to investigate the impact of reaction temperature (T = 600–800 °C) and Cu loading (0–15 wt%) on SO2 conversion and sulfur selectivity. Under the reaction conditions of 800 °C, 1 bar, SO2 = 5000 ppm, CH4 = 2500 ppm, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) = 12,000 1/h, and 10 wt% Cu, the SO2 conversion and sulfur selectivity were determined to be 95% and 94.5%, respectively. The influence of the molar feed ratio of SO2/CH4 = R = 0.5–3 on the 10 wt% Cu catalyst was also investigated in the temperature range of 600–800 °C. The findings revealed that when R < 2, the conversion rate increased due to higher SO2 reduction with an excess of CH4, but sulfur selectivity slightly decreased as a result of the formation of unwanted byproducts such as H2S and COS. Conversely, when R > 2, SO2 conversion significantly declined, while sulfur selectivity was enhanced due to increased consumption of CH4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, with the aid of the density functional theory (DFT) method, we have investigated the possibility of applying the B3S monolayer (B3SML) for sensing and adsorption of some air pollutants containing SO2, CS2, CO2, CH2O, H2O, C2H2, and CF3H from the gaseous environment. The results showed that after the adsorption of SO2, H2O, and C2H2 by B3SML, big changes took place which led to a decrease of the λmax of each complex down to 1598.5 nm, 1418.0 nm, and 1580.0 nm, respectively. Therefore, the frequencies of the mentioned adsorption complexes rise and strong blueshifts occur. Moreover, the outcomes of the band gap estimations reveal that the B3SML could selectively detect the existence of C2H2 with a clearer and stronger electronic signal compared to all other gases. In addition, this nanosheet is able to sense CS2, CH2O, SO2, and H2O with good signals. Hence, it could not recognize the difference between CH2O and SO2 gases. Also, the results of the thermodynamic calculations indicate that B3SML would selectively adsorb and destruct SO2, C2H2, and H2O gases. Moreover, this sorbent could adsorb CH2O and CS2 species, but it would approximately not adsorb CO2 and CF3H. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southeastern Europe (SEE), which includes Serbia, along with Germany and Poland, is one of the largest producers of solid fuels in Europe. Despite growing environmental concerns, coal, especially lignite, persists and remains the dominant fuel for electricity generation in this region. Concurrently, these power plants emerge as the predominant emitters of pollutants in all the observed states. To conduct a comprehensive analysis, data on major emitters within the EU were gathered, allowing for a detailed comparison with SEE countries. A specific focus was placed on the thermal power plant Kostolac in Serbia, where the calculation of SO2 emissions for two thermoblocks was undertaken. Comparisons were drawn with emitters in EU countries, with a particular emphasis on SEE nations. The analysis involved data from wells that have undergone excavation over specific periods, facilitating an exploration of the correlation between calculated values, those from exploited wells, and projections of future SO2 emissions from new wells in areas earmarked for surface mining exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]