According to Pakistan air pollution news, Pakistan is facing air pollution crisis in Lahore, where dangerously high pollution levels have led to health and safety concerns.
Record-breaking smog has plagued Lahore and other cities in Punjab Province leading the government to enforce urgent public health measures and restrict various activities.
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Lahore’s Air Quality Index has been measured at high levels with readings surpassing 1,100 in some areas. A score over 301 is hazardous, making Lahore’s air pollution among the most severe in the world.
According to Pakistan air pollution news, the Swiss air quality monitoring company IQAir reported that Lahore topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities, with New Delhi following closely behind.
Due to the extreme air pollution, hospitals in Lahore and surrounding areas are experiencing a surge in respiratory cases.
Over 900 people were admitted to hospitals in Punjab with breathing problems. Children and the elderly are vulnerable.
Health officials report that children are experiencing respiratory distress, with experts warning that exposure to such air quality could cause lifelong health problems.
According to Pakistan air pollution news, tens of thousands of people with respiratory issues, burning eyes and persistent coughs have visited hospitals and clinics over the past week, according to Dr. Salman Kazmi, Vice President of the Pakistan Medical Association in Punjab.
Farmers in northern Pakistan and neighboring India often burn crop residue in the fall, releasing smoke and pollutants into the air. This practice is a major contributor to Lahore’s seasonal smog.
Heavy vehicle traffic especially diesel vehicles, industrial emissions and cooking fires further compound air quality issues.
Cold air traps pollutants close to the ground. This phenomenon is known as thermal inversion and it is common in South Asia during winter months, trapping dust, emissions and smoke.
Authorities ordered that half of Lahore’s workforce should work from home to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. To protect children, officials initially closed primary schools and then extended the closures to secondary schools in affected areas until November 17.
According to Pakistan air pollution news, the Punjab government implemented strict restrictions on various activities that contribute to air pollution. These include banning outdoor barbecues that use wood or charcoal, restricting rickshaw operations and impounding over 500 vehicles for excessive pollution.
The Punjab police have confiscated hundreds of vehicles that exceeded pollution limits, attempting to curb the emissions contributing to the smog.
Twelve brick kilns were demolished to reduce the city’s industrial pollution load. To decrease the burning of wood and charcoal, outdoor barbecue restaurants have been ordered to shut down temporarily in Lahore.
The Punjab government has set up a specialized smog war room, a control center where staff from eight different departments collaborate to monitor pollution levels and implement immediate responses.
Twice-daily sessions in the war room analyze pollution data and weather forecasts, guiding authorities on optimal ways to combat the crisis. Daily advisories are issued to the public based on these insights.
As the air quality remains hazardous, authorities are exploring artificial rain-making technologies to temporarily cleanse the air.
The Punjab government intends to appeal to India for cross-border collaboration to address regional air pollution, as pollution from nearby regions in India is believed to drift into Pakistan.
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According to Pakistan air pollution news, Officials have strongly advised Lahore residents to stay indoors whenever possible and to wear masks in public spaces to reduce inhalation of pollutants.
Many residents report experiencing chest pains, headaches and eye irritation due to the smog. The air feels thick, and it’s exhausting just to breathe, said Safdar Masih, a gardener in Lahore.
With fines imposed on rickshaw drivers and restrictions on many businesses, low-income workers face financial hardship. Many feel burdened by policies that limit their work while they struggle with health conditions.
Every winter, South Asian cities particularly in northern India and Pakistan experience severe air pollution. Seasonal changes exacerbate pollution as cold air traps smoke and emissions close to the ground.
According to UNICEF, nearly 600 million children across South Asia are exposed to high levels of air pollution, with half of all childhood pneumonia deaths in the region linked to air pollution.
The World Bank estimates that air pollution costs Pakistan approximately 6.5% of its GDP.
According to Pakistan air pollution news, Lahore’s AQI reached 1,900 on November 2. This level of pollution is six times the WHO’s safe limit. PM2.5 levels, indicating dangerous fine particulate matter surged to 610 micrograms per cubic meter, over 40 times higher than WHO guidelines of 15 micrograms.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses health risks due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
Exposure to PM2.5 in high concentrations is linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease and reduced life expectancy, with Lahore residents facing an average reduction of over seven years in life expectancy due to pollution.
Primary schools have been temporarily shut down to protect children from exposure. Residents are urged to wear masks outdoors especially during peak pollution times.
Three-wheeled vehicles, which use high-pollution two-stroke engines have been banned. Construction activities have been paused in heavily polluted areas to limit dust and emissions.
According to Pakistan air pollution news, Private and government offices have implemented a 50% remote work policy, reducing vehicle pollution. Children are banned from outdoor school exercises at least until January 2025.
Lahore authorities have enforced additional restrictions as part of a green lockdown to minimize air pollution contributions from local sources.
Pakistani officials including Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, attributed much of the surge to pollution originating from stubble burning in India.
Seasonal wind patterns reportedly carry pollutants from Indian farmlands across the border into Pakistani cities exacerbating the smog.
According to Pakistan air pollution news, Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb advocated for talks with India, addressing the need for joint strategies against the common enemy of pollution.
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