Contact Dr Zaheer Nasar
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 754584
- Email: z.a.nasar@cranfield.ac.uk
- ORCID
Areas of expertise
- Air
- Environment and Health
- Environmental Policy
- Hazardous Substances
- Waste Management and Resource Efficiency
Background
Dr Nasar's research interest lies in physico-chemical and biological characterisation of aerosols, their spatio-temporal dynamics in different environments, societal impacts and developing control measures, with a specific focus on particulate matter (PM) and bioaerosols, across natural and indoor environments. He has extensively investigated aerosol and bioaerosols sources and dynamics under controlled as well as real-world built environments, the relationship between indoor/outdoor air quality and indoor air hygiene control measures in both the developed and developing world (EP/G029881/1, FP7-242497). He is leading Cranfield's work on the single-particle characterisation of biological materials in PM from different indoor and outdoor environments by using Light-Induced Fluorescence based sensor systems capable of performing a range of measurements on single particles in real-time ( NERC NE/M01163/1). He is Co-I on the Indoor/Outdoor Bioaerosols Interface and Relationships Network (BioAirNet/ NE/V002171/1) and also a member of BSI committee EH/2/5 - Emissions to internal environments as an expert on bioaerosols.
Current activities
Understanding the interplay between air pollution, urban form and demographics -. Work includes, NERC COVID-19 urgency grant (NE/V009737/1: £146,711, Co-I), NERC Defragmenting the fragmented urban landscape (NE/W003031/1: £790,362, Co-I and WP Lead on real world and controlled experiments to investigate the impact of green infrastructure interventions on air quality)
Advancing real-time detection and characterisation of aerosols - Leading work on the single-particle characterisation of biological materials in PM from different environmental sources (Wastewater treatment plants, Livestock, Chicken farms, Agricultural, urban and rural) by using Light-Induced Fluorescence based sensor systems (NERC NE/M01163/1); Network manager and Co-I for UKRI SPF Clean Air Programme funded network 'Indoor/Outdoor Bioaerosols Interface and Relationships Network' ( NE/V002171/1: £507,471, https://bioairnet.co.uk/ )
Indoor air quality - Characterising indoor air pollutant dynamics and exposure in developing and developed world to support air quality management interventions. Work includes. Met office/UKRI grant 'Indoor air quality emissions and modelling systems'( £ 975,077, Birmingham Lead, Cranfield PI and WP lead on Indoor pollutant inventory); STFC Air Quality Network funded project 'Sources, behaviour and mitigation strategies influencing indoor air quality' (£8000; Co-I); Various projects funded through British Council/HEC Pakistan.
Enabling mitigating the air quality challenges in Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) - Assessing the existing air quality issues and their drivers to support the development of air quality observation capacities to adopt low-cost technological innovations to inform policies and actions to mitigate air pollution for improved environmental and human health in HKH (UKRI GCRF QR 2020/21)
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Ali W, Hu Z, Tang Z, Liu S, Nasir ZA, .... (2025). Quantitative microbial risk assessment of bioaerosol emissions from squat and bidet toilets during flushing. Risk Analysis
- Anigilaje EA, Nasir ZA & Walton C. (2024). Exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) at Nigeria's petrol stations: a review of current status, challenges and future directions. Frontiers in Public Health, 12
- Bhui K, Ucci M, Kumar P, Jackson SK, Whitby C, .... (2024). Air quality and mental illness: role of bioaerosols, causal mechanisms and research priorities. BJPsych Open, 10(5)
- Mazzeo A, Pfrang C & Nasir ZA. (2024). Towards developing an indoor emissions inventory for the UK: challenges and future directions. Environmental Science: Atmospheres, 5(2)
- Yan C, Hu Y-N, Gui Z-C, Lai T-N, Ali W, .... (2023). Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 exposure assessment for workers in wastewater treatment plants using Monte-Carlo simulation. Water Research, 248
- Bhui K, Newbury JB, Latham RM, Ucci M, Nasir ZA, .... (2023). Air quality and mental health: evidence, challenges and future directions. BJPsych Open, 9(4)
- Yan C, Wan W-D, Wang R-N, Lai T-N, Ali W, .... (2023). Quantitative health risk assessment of microbial hazards from water sources for community and self-supply drinking water systems. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 465
- Yasmeen R, Hafeez F, Ammara U, Younas R, Ahmad S, .... (2023). Characterization of metals in feed, litter and air of intensive poultry farming facilities. Journal of Animal Health and Production, 11(4)
- Whitby C, Ferguson RMW, Dumbrell A, Colbeck I, Coulon F, .... (2023). Rapid measurement tools or fast identification of bioaerosols. Open Access Government, 38(1)
- Gui Z-C, Li X, Peng Z-D, Yan C, Nasir ZA, .... (2022). Seasonal variation of quantitative microbial risk assessment for three airborne enteric bacteria from wastewater treatment plant emissions. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 240(July)
- Zhao X-Y, An D-Z, Liu M-L, Ma J-X, Ali W, .... (2022). Bioaerosols emission characteristics from wastewater treatment aeration tanks and associated health risk exposure assessment during autumn and winter. Science of The Total Environment, 851(December)
- Tian J, Yan C, Garcia Alcega S, Hassard F, Tyrrel S, .... (2022). Detection and characterization of bioaerosol emissions from wastewater treatment plants: Challenges and opportunities. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13(November)
- Nimra A, Ali Z, Sultan S, Nasir ZA, Sidra S, .... (2022). Molecular sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of bioaerosols in hospital wards with different ventilation conditions. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 16(01)
- Raza ST, Hafeez S, Ali Z, Nasir ZA, Butt MM, .... (2021). An assessment of air quality within facilities of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) sites in Lahore, Pakistan. Processes, 9(9)
- Hafeez S, Ali Z, Nasir Z & Sultan S. (2021). Assessment of Microbial Air Quality within Facilities of Waste Transfer Stations and Disposal Sites of Lahore, Pakistan. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 30(6)
- Coulon F & Nasar Z. (2021). Take a deep breath: Investigating air quality. Futurum Careers
- Nimra A, Ali Z, Ahmad Nasir Z, Tyrrel S & Sidra S. (2021). Characterization of Indoor Air Quality in Relation to Ventilation Practices in Hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. Sains Malaysiana, 50(6)
- Tian J-H, Yan C, Nasir ZA, Alcega SG, Tyrrel SF, .... (2020). Real time detection and characterisation of bioaerosol emissions from wastewater treatment plants. Science of The Total Environment, 721
- Garcia Alcega S, Nasir ZA, Cipullo S, Ferguson RMW, Yan C, .... (2020). Fingerprinting ambient air to understand bioaerosol profiles in three different environments in the South East of England. Science of The Total Environment, 719
- Ferguson RMW, Neath CEE, Nasir ZA, Garcia Alcega S, Tyrrel SF, .... (2020). Size fractionation of bioaerosol emissions from green waste composting. Environment International, 147
- Yasmeen R, Ali Z, Afzal N, Safdar S & Nasir ZA. (2020). Characterization of bioaerosols in controlled environment broiler houses at different stages of growth. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 30(1)
- Yasmeen R, Ali Z, Tyrrel SF & Nasir ZA. (2020). Assessment of respiratory problems in workers associated with intensive poultry facilities in Pakistan. Safety and Health at Work, 11(1)
- Usman M, Saqib S, Zubair SWH, Irshad M, Kazmi AH, .... (2020). Experimental assessment of regenerated lube oil in spark-ignition engine for sustainable environment. Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 12(7)
- Yasmeen R, Nasir ZA & Tyrrel SF. (2019). Estimation of particulate matter and gaseous concentrations using low-cost sensors from broiler houses. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 191(7)
- Nasir ZA, Hayes E, Williams B, Gladding T, Rolph CA, .... (2018). Scoping studies to establish the capability and utility of a real-time bioaerosol sensor to characterise emissions from environmental sources. Science of The Total Environment, 648
- Nasir ZA, Rolph CA, Collins S, Stevenson D, Gladding TL, .... (2018). A controlled study on the characterisation of bioaerosols emissions from compost. Atmosphere, 9(10)
- Rolph CA, Gwyther CL, Tyrrel SF, Nasir ZA, Drew GH, .... (2018). Sources of airborne endotoxins in ambient air and exposure of nearby communities - a review. Atmosphere, 9(10)
- Garcia Alcega S, Nasir ZA, Ferguson RMW, Noël C, Cravo-Laureau C, .... (2018). Can chemical and molecular biomarkers help discriminate between industrial, rural and urban environments?. Science of The Total Environment, 631-632
- Nasir ZA, Campos LC, Christie N & Colbeck I. (2016). Airborne biological hazards and urban transport infrastructure: current challenges and future directions. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(15)
- Garcia Alcega S, Nasir ZA, Ferguson RMW, Whitby C, Dumbrell AJ, .... (2016). Fingerprinting outdoor air environment using microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) – A review. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 86
- Mehmood T, Ali Z, Noor N, Sidra S, Nasir ZA, .... (2016). Measurement of NO2 indoor and outdoor concentrations in selected public schools of Lahore using passive sampler. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Amanat H, Ali Z, Sidra S, Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2015). PM
2.5 arising from different cooking fuels in rural residential houses. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3) - Nasir ZA, Mula V, Stokoe J, Colbeck I & Loeffler M. (2015). Evaluation of total concentration and size distribution of bacterial and fungal aerosol in healthcare built environments. Indoor and Built Environment, 24(2)
- Parker ST, Nasir ZA & Campos LC. (2015). Estimating Exponential Concentration Decay Rates Using Time-Integrated Aerosol Sampling of Variable Duration. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 15(4)
- Sidra S, Ali Z, Ahmad Nasir Z & Colbeck I. (2015). Seasonal variation of fine particulate matter in residential micro–environments of Lahore, Pakistan. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 6(5)
- Nasir ZA, Murtaza F & Colbeck I. (2015). Role of poverty in fuel choice and exposure to indoor air pollution in Pakistan. Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences, 12(2)
- Campos LC, Ross P, Nasir ZA, Taylor H & Parkinson J. (2015). Development and application of a methodology to assess sanitary risks in Maputo, Mozambique. Environment and Urbanization, 27(2)
- Sidra S, Ali Z, Sultan S, Ahmed S, Colbeck I, .... (2015). Assessment of Airborne Microflora in the Indoor Micro-Environments of Residential Houses of Lahore, Pakistan. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 15(6)
- Shelly SA, Ali Z, Bibi F, Nasir ZA, Colbeck I, .... (2015). Resilience of local communities to climate change around a ramsar site in Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Ali Z, Shelly SY, Bibi F, Nasir ZA, Colbeck I, .... (2015). Prospects for alleviating poverty and protecting the Taunsa barrage wildlife sanctuary, Indus river, Pakistan, through cultural and eco-tourism. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Nimra A, Ali Z, Khan MN, Gulshan T, Sidra S, .... (2015). Comparative ambient and indoor particulate matter analysis of operation theatres of government and private (trust) hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Zona Z, Ali Z, Sidra S, Nimra A, Ahmad M, .... (2015). Changes in particulate matter concentrations at different altitudinal levels with environmental dynamics. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Aziz K, Ali Z, Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2015). Comparative study of particulate matter in the transport microenvironment (buses) of Pakistan and UK. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Ali Z, Rauf A, Sidra S, Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2015). Air quality (particulate matter) at heavy traffic sites in Lahore, Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Andleeb S, Ali Z, Afzal F, Razzaq AA, Mehmood T, .... (2015). Exposure to NO2 in occupational built environments in urban centre in Lahore. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Ali Z, Naz F, Nasir ZA, Sidra S & Colbeck I. (2015). Particulate pollution in urban residential built environments during winter and summer seasons in Lahore, Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Aziz K, Ali Z, Nasir ZA & Colebeck I. (2015). Assessment of airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) in university classrooms of varying occupancy. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Gulshan T, Ali Z, Zona Z, Ansari B, Ahmad M, .... (2015). State of air quality in and outside of hospital wards in urban centres – a case study in Lahore, Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Nasir ZA, Colbeck I, Ali Z & Ahmed S. (2015). Ultrafine particles in rural and urban dwellings with different household fuel use in developing countries – an example from Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Nasir ZA, Colbeck I, Ali Z & Ahmed S. (2015). Automotive related exposure to particulate air pollution in developing countries cities. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Ali Z, Shahzadi K, Sidra S, Zona Z, Zainab I, .... (2015). Seasonal variation of particulate matter in the ambient conditions of Khanspur, Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Nasir ZA, Colbeck I, Ali Z & Ahmed S. (2015). Heavy metal composition of particulate matter in rural and urban residential built environments in Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Murtaza F, Nasir ZA, Colbeck I & Campos LC. (2015). Socio-environmental determinants of exposure to water and sanitation related hazards in Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Sidra S, Ali Z, Sultan S, Ahmed D, Colbeck I, .... (2015). Microbial dynamics during various activities in residential areas of Lahore, Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Ali Z, Colbeck I, Campos LC, Nasir ZA, Ali M, .... (2015). Environmental health and wildlife research with transnational education forebodings, applicability and approach. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Zainab I, Ali Z, Ahmad MS, Zona Z, Raza ST, .... (2015). Monitoring of particulate matter concentrations at high altitude ecosystems of Pakistan and China. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 25(3)
- Amanat H, Ali Z, Sidra S, Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2015). PM2.5 ARISING FROM DIFFERENT COOKING FUELS IN RURAL RESIDENTIAL HOUSES. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL AND PLANT SCIENCES, 25(3)
- Nasir ZA, Colbeck I, Bharucha ZP, Cintra Campos L & Ali Z. (2014). Ethno-environmental knowledge as a tool to combat indoor air pollution in low income countries: a case study from rural communities in Pakistan. Journal of Environment and Human, 2014(2)
- Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2013). Particulate pollution in different housing types in a UK suburban location. Science of The Total Environment, 445-446
- Nasir ZA, Colbeck I, Ali Z & Ahmad S. (2013). Indoor particulate matter in developing countries: a case study in Pakistan and potential intervention strategies. Environmental Research Letters, 8(2)
- Nasir ZA, Colbeck I, Sultan S & Ahmed S. (2012). Bioaerosols in residential micro-environments in low income countries: A case study from Pakistan. Environmental Pollution, 168
- Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2012). Winter Time Concentrations and Size Distribution of Bioaerosols in Different Residential Settings in the UK. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 223(9)
- Taylor J & Lai KM. (2012). Human Factors and Bioagent Transmission following an Indoor Bioterror Attack. Journal of Bioterrorism & Biodefense, 03(01)
- Ali Z, Shelly SY, Bibi F, Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2011). Local perception of indoor air pollution with use of biofuel in rural communities of Uchalli Wetlands complex, salt range Pakistan. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 21(SUPPL. 2)
- Colbeck I, Nasir ZA & Ali Z. (2010). The state of ambient air quality in Pakistan—a review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 17(1)
- Colbeck I, Nasir ZA, Ali Z & Ahmad S. (2010). Nitrogen dioxide and household fuel use in the Pakistan. Science of The Total Environment, 409(2)
- Colbeck I, Nasir ZA & Ali Z. (2010). The state of indoor air quality in Pakistan—a review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 17(6)
- Colbeck I, Nasir ZA & Ali Z. (2010). Characteristics of indoor/outdoor particulate pollution in urban and rural residential environment of Pakistan. Indoor Air, 20(1)
- Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2010). Assessment of Bacterial and Fungal Aerosol in Different Residential Settings. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 211(1-4)
- Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2009). Particulate air pollution in transport micro-environments. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 11(6)
- Colbeck I, Nasir ZA, Hasnain S & Sultan S. (2008). Indoor Air Quality at Rural and Urban Sites in Pakistan. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution: Focus, 8(1)
- Sultan S & Nasir ZA. (2007). Intraannual variations in weed communities of lentil fields in Chakwal, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 39(5)
- . ZAN & . SS. (2006). Noxious Weeds of Winter Crops in District Chakwal, Pakistan. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 1(5)
- Nasir ZA & . SS. (2004). Survey of Weeds in Mustard Fields of District Chakwal, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 7(2)
- Sultan S & . ZAN. (2003). Dynamics of Weed Communities in Gram Fields of Chakwal, Pakistan. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 2(17)
- Ahmad Nasi Z & Sultan S. (2002). Floristic, Biological and Leaf Size Spectra of Weeds in Gram, Lentil, Mustard and Wheat Fields of District Chakwal, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 5(7)
- J T & D M. The Role of Protection Measures and their Interaction in Determining Building Vulnerability and Resilience to Bioterrorism. Journal of Bioterrorism & Biodefense, 04(01)
Conference Papers
- Li J, Nasar Z, Ferracci V, Harris N & Xu Z. (2024). Selection and aggregation of low-cost particle sensors for outdoor particulate matter measurement
- Mazzeo A, Nasir ZA & Pfrang C. (2024). Towards Developing an Indoor Air Pollution Emission Inventory for the UK: Challenges and Future Directions
- Williams B, Hayes E, Nasir ZA, Rolph CA, Jackson S, .... (2018). Towards improved bioaerosol model validation and verification
- Colbeck I, Sidra S, Ali Z, Ahmed S & Nasir ZA. (2018). Spatial and temporal variations in indoor air quality in Lahore, Pakistan
- Williams B, Hayes E, Nasir ZA, Rolph CA, Jackson S, .... (2017). The challenges, uncertainties and opportunities of bioaerosol dispersion modelling from open composting facilities
- Nasir ZA & Tyrrel S. (2015). Poster: Fluorescence based detection of bioaerosols to improve emissions characterization from environmental sources
- Nasir ZA, Margaritis D, Lai KM, Mistry N, Campos LC, .... (2015). Impact of built environment characteristics on risk of TB transmission in slums
- Nasir ZA, Campos L, Ciric L, Canales M & Colbeck I. (2015). Environmental diagnostics to assess the risk of built environment on exposure to bioaerosols under different indoor environmental conditions
- Safdar S, Ali Z, Colbeck I & Nasir ZA. (2014). Assessment of airborne microflora in residential houses in Lahore, Pakistan
- Ali Z, Mahmood T, Sidra S, Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2014). Measurement of NO2 inside and outside various educational institutes of Lahore, Pakistan
- Ali Z, Amanat H, Sidra S, Nasir ZA & Colbeck I. (2014). Monitoring of PM
2.5 arising from different cooking fuels in rural residential houses - Nasir ZA, Parker ST & Campos LC. (2014). Exponential decay rate estimation using time-integrated aerosol sampling of variable duration
- Nasir Z, Carpentieri M, Campos L, Ciric L & Canales ME. (2013). Efficacy of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation based portable air cleaning devices in built environments: Impact of environmental conditions
- Colbeck I, Nasir ZA, Ahmad S & Ali Z. (2011). Exposure to PM10, PM2.5, PM1 and Carbon Monoxide on Roads in Lahore, Pakistan
- Colbeck I & Nasir ZA. (2009). Measurement of number and mass concentration of particulate matter in rural and urban Pakistani households
Books
- Whitby C, Ferguson RMW, Colbeck I, Dumbrell AJ, Nasir ZA, .... (2022). Compendium of analytical methods for sampling, characterization, and quantification of bioaerosols In Bohan DA & Dumbrell A (eds), Functional Microbiomes. Academic Press.
- Whitby C, Ferguson RMW, Colbeck I, Dumbrell AJ, Nasir ZA, .... (2022). Compendium of analytical methods for sampling, characterization and quantification of bioaerosols In Advances in Ecological Research (67). Elsevier.
- Nasir ZA. (2014). Environmental Health in Built Environments In Aerosol Science: Technology and Applications (9781119977926). Wiley.
- Lai KM, Nasir ZA & Taylor J. (2013). Bioaerosols and Hospital Infections In Colbeck I & Lazaridis M (eds), Aerosol Science: Technology and Applications (9781119977926). Wiley.
- Nasir ZA. (2013). Environmental Health in Built Environments In Colbeck I & Lazaridis M (eds), Aerosol Science: Technology and Applications. Wiley.
- Colbeck I & Nasir ZA. (2012). Air pollution indicators and monitoring In Spellerberg I(ed.), Berkshire Encyclopaedia of Sustainability, Vol. 6: Measurements, indicators, and research methods for sustainability (1st, 6: Measurements, indicators, and research methods for sustainability). Berkshire Publishing.
- Colbeck I & Nasir ZA. (2010). Indoor Air Pollution In Environmental Pollution (17). Springer Netherlands.
