Lahore tops world’s ‘most polluted’ cities’ checklist for second day

Vehicles make their way amid heavy smog conditions in Lahore, Pakistan, on November 17, 2021. — AFP
Automobiles make their method amid heavy smog circumstances in Lahore, Pakistan, on November 17, 2021. — AFP
  • Residents have been suggested to keep away from outside train.
  • New Delhi retains its place as second most polluted. 
  • Karachi’s air high quality drops as megapolis ranks third.

Lahore topped the checklist of essentially the most polluted cities on the planet on Wednesday for the second time in a row, with a fair greater air high quality index (AQI) than yesterday because the smog scenario worsens within the provincial capital.

The IQAir knowledge launched at this time confirmed that Lahore’s air high quality dropped to 503 on the US AQI. 

As per the air high quality classification by IQAir, the ambiance turns into “hazardous” to well being after the AQI crosses the 300 mark. 

An AQI of 0-5 is taken into account “good”, 51-100 is taken into account “average”, 101-150 is “unhealthy for delicate teams”, 151-200 is just “unhealthy”, 201 – 300 is “very unhealthy”, whereas greater than 301 levels signifies “hazardous”. 

IQAir measures air high quality ranges based mostly on the focus of lung-damaging airborne particles often known as PM2.5 — and that is 55.6 occasions greater than the World Well being Organisation (WHO) air high quality guideline worth in Lahore.

In the meantime, New Delhi, India, retained its place because the second most polluted metropolis on the size, with an AQI of 366. 

The third most polluted metropolis on the planet at this time is Karachi, the place the AQI is 166. 

Right here, the air high quality is “unhealthy” for the residents. 

— IQ Air
— IQ Air

Medical specialists have suggested these with respiratory points resembling bronchial asthma and mud allergy symptoms to observe excessive warning to remain protected from the results of air air pollution. 

Within the wake of present scenario, Punjab Environmental Projection Division issued separate pointers for faculties and different sectors. 

As per the notification, faculty timings have been modified to eight:45am, taking impact from October 28 until January 31, 2025. The college administrations have been directed to organise college students’ assemblies indoors. 

Residents have been suggested to keep away from outside train, preserve their doorways and home windows closed to forestall soiled air, put on masks and examine their automobiles’ health amongst different precautionary measures. 

In the meantime, actions like fireworks have been banned until January, 31, 2025. 

The provincial authorities rush to deal with the worsening smog disaster with all preparations made to cope with the scenario, Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated final week.

The federal government might also undertake the choice of synthetic rain to cut back growing smog.

The standard of air deteriorates when colder days method, as air pollution spirals with cooler temperatures taking maintain. Lahore and New Delhi are principally essentially the most polluted cities.

Unhealthy air high quality is a significant risk to the well being as residents within the polluted cities develop a number of medical points, particularly respiratory issues.

In line with a report revealed final yr which flagged the rising burden of hazardous air on well being, rising air air pollution can minimize life expectancy by greater than 5 years per particular person in South Asia, one of many world’s most polluted areas. 

In line with atmosphere lawyer and activist Ahmad Rafay Alam, the notion that poor high quality is a seasonal Lahore concern just isn’t true. 

“Air air pollution is a regional and year-round public well being emergency.”

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