- Citizens have been advised to avoid exercising outdoors.
- New Delhi maintains its position in second place in terms of pollution.
- Air quality declines in Karachi with major cities ranking third.
Lahore topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday for the second time in a row, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) rising from yesterday as the smog situation worsened in the provincial capital.
IQAir data released today showed that the air quality in Lahore dropped to 503 on the US AQI index.
According to the air quality classification by IQAir, an atmosphere becomes a health “hazard” after the air quality index (AQI) exceeds the 300 mark.
An Air Quality Index (AQI) of 0 to 5 is considered “good,” 51 to 100 is considered “moderate,” 101 to 150 is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 151 to 200 is simply “unhealthy,” and 201 to 300 is considered “very unhealthy.” While more than 301 degrees indicate “danger”.
IQAir measures air quality levels based on the concentration of lung-harmful airborne particles known as PM2.5 – this is 55.6 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline value for Lahore.
Meanwhile, New Delhi, India, retained its position as the second most polluted city on the scale, with an air quality index (AQI) of 366.
The third most polluted city in the world today is Karachi, with an air quality index (AQI) of 166.
Here the air quality is “unhealthy” for citizens.
Medical experts have advised people suffering from respiratory problems such as asthma and dust allergies to be extremely careful to stay safe from the effects of air pollution.
In the wake of the current situation, the Punjab Environmental Outlook Department has issued separate guidelines for schools and other sectors.
Based on the notification, school timings have been changed to 8:45 am from October 28 to January 31, 2025. School managements have also been directed to organize gatherings of students indoors.
It advised citizens to avoid exercising outdoors, keep their doors and windows closed to prevent dirty air, wear masks and check the validity of their vehicles, among other precautionary measures.
Meanwhile, activities such as fireworks have been banned until January 31, 2025.
Senior Punjab Minister Marium Aurangzeb said last week that the provincial authorities are rushing to address the worsening smog crisis by making all arrangements to deal with the situation.
The government may also adopt the option of artificial rain to reduce the growing smog.
Air quality deteriorates as cold days approach, with pollution rising as cold temperatures spread. Lahore and New Delhi are mostly the most polluted cities.
Poor air quality poses a major threat to health as citizens in polluted cities develop many medical problems, especially respiratory problems.
According to a report published last year that pointed to the increasing burden of hazardous air on health, rising air pollution could reduce life expectancy by more than five years per person in South Asia, one of the most polluted regions of the world.
According to lawyer and environmental activist Ahmed Rifai Alam, the belief that poor quality is a seasonal problem in Lahore is not true.
“Air pollution is a regional, year-round public health emergency.”