World’s Worst Air: Lahore Is Officially Toxic Again, Forcing Residents To Breathe PM2.5 At Critical Levels | World News
Lahore, Pakistan—The city of Lahore was named the world’s most polluted city for the second time in a week on Monday, according to information provided by Swiss technology firm IQAir. The dense smoke surrounding the city has reached dangerous levels, far beyond the safety standards provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) jumped to the toxic 312 as the level of PM2.5, the most harmful particulate matter, reached an alarming level of 190.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
Pollution Levels 25 Times of WHO Standards
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IQAir said the current concentration of PM2.5 in Lahore is more than 25 times the WHO’s annual air quality guideline. Real-time rankings showed several places in the city exceeding the dangerous level.
At 10pm local time on Monday evening, Lahore emerged as the world’s most polluted major city, replaced by other perennial hotspots such as Delhi (AQI 220) and Kolkata (AQI 170).
Such high levels of PM2.5 lead to serious health problems such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, especially for susceptible groups such as children and the elderly. WHO’s 2021 guidelines recommend annual PM2.5 concentrations of only 5 micrograms per cubic metre.
‘Smoke Emergency Plan’ is in Action
The smog, a toxic mix of industrial emissions, automobile exhaust and seasonal agricultural fires, has become an annual crisis for Lahore from October to February. Statistics show that this year’s pollution season is off to a particularly strong start.
Punjab Environment Minister Marriyum Auranzeb informed that the provincial government is actively implementing the Smog Emergency Plan with a strong focus on Lahore. The plan covers:
Strict Enforcement: Deliberate action against sources of pollution such as smoke-producing vehicles, industries and brick kilns.
Tracking and Banning: Adherence to a zero-tolerance regime regarding the burning of crop residues and 24-hour surveillance of field teams.
Smoke Reduction: Use of fog guns in cleaning activities, artificial sprinkler (sprinkling) in urban areas, use of sprinklers to regulate dust dispersion in construction sites.
Lahore had previously topped the global pollution chart last week, when the overall AQI reached the critical 412 between October 22 and 25.
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