Smog in Lahore is a big issue for people. In urban areas worldwide, smog is a type of air pollution that has become more prevalent. It leads to significant environmental and health risks, mainly in a heavily populated city where industrial manufacturing, vehicle exhaustion, and most importantly weather patterns create smog. In this article, we get to know about the causes effects, and ways to combat smog in Lahore.
WHAT IS SMOG?
Smog is le type of Air Pollution that is a mixture of smoke, fog, and other pollutants., Now smog is pointed out to be a more complex mixture of air pollutants, including ground-level ozone, nitrogen oxide (NOx) sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds combined in sunlight to make a cloudy, sometimes yellow or brown layer over cities.
SMOG IN LAHORE
Lahore was once famous as the City of Gardens. In the Mughal Era from the 16th to 19th centuries. Before that, Lahore flourished with greenery, but due to population growth and urbanization have now less space for nature.
The second-largest city Lahore is the most polluted in Pakistan. City has been suffocated by a thick layer of smog in Lahore today. The air quality has got worse due to the continuous growth of urbanization and industrialization. In terms of pollution, Lahore stands in the first spot globally with an average record today smog level in Lahore is 621.
The present situation has been likely be worsen due to the government’s lack of active action plans and the concerned authorities paid to take notice of the urgency of the smog issue, to prevent further damages Government has announced Smog holidays in Lahore.
Therefore, our purpose is to highlight perilous issue by referring the previously published article to create awareness among people and relevant authorities regarding the harmful impact of smog open public health and pressurized them to take immediate action to prevent further damage. Now, due to smog in Lahore local government has started smart smog lockdown in Lahore and the implementation of the guidelines to close Lahore markets by 8pm has started.
TYRE OF SMOG
There are two types of smog each with unique and different characters and causes.
1: Photochemical Smog
It is also called Summer smog or brow smog. The most common smog in urban areas where high levels of vehicular emission and strong sunlight are present This type of smog is created when Sunlight reacts with pollutants like nitrogen oxides and VOCs.
2: Sulfurous Smog
Mostly, industrial smog is called sulfurous smog. Smog in Lahore mostly occurs in areas with heavy industrial activeness, especially where coal is burned in factories and power stations. It is formed when Sulfur dioxide from industrial processes and coal combines with moisture in the air and particulate matter.
CAUSES OF SMOG
In the formation of Smog, there are several factors contributed and they are interlinked with each other in complex ways.
1: Vehicular Emissions
The major sources of nitrogen oxide and VOCs are cars, buses, and trucks, both of which are major pollutants to form photochemical Smog. As the number of increase in vehicles worldwide, especially in Urban areas where the level of vehicular pollution has risen.
2: Industrial Activities
Factories and Power plants release harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen Oxide, and particulate matter, leading to the formation of smog.
3: Climate and Geography
Weather conditions and geographical features also major play roles in smog formation. Smog can also be controlled to a significant level if the number of trees is increased.
4: Agricultural Practice
Farmers nowadays use chemical fertilizers and the burning of crop residues releases ammonia and other gases into the atmosphere which create particulate matter that adds to smog.
HEALTH EXPERT OPINION
According to the expert’s opinion, smog in Lahore is a serious environmental and several other health issues. Health Experts warn that Smog has many respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Due to smog asthma can worsen and cause lung damage and also increase heart disease.
Efforts to reduce smog in Lahore through technological innovations and community awareness and also create healing and more livable cities working together to minimize build to reduce emissions and promote eco-friendly. So, we can build a future with cleaner air and healthier communities.
