While South Asia remains mired in a severe smog crisis, Lahore and New Delhi face air pollution levels that pose a danger to the health of countless millions living there. Smog conditions where it becomes difficult to breath can adversely affact your LifeStyle. The punjab government should take better measures to end this problem.
In the world rankings early on Saturday morning, 9:43 am local time, Lahore took over the top spot for pollution levels with an Air Quality Index (AQI) in a hazardous range at 388, IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitor.
New Delhi followed closely in second place at 293 AQI as the air quality was unsafe on all fronts.
The heavy haze, with vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, seasonal crop burning, and stagnant weather as its causes, has engulfed both cities. Visibility is severely reduced, and there are many respiratory problems as a result.
Although, the amount of precipitation is low, and temperatures are high. However, the situation changed rapidly. At 10:15 a.m., New Delhi topped the charts with a dangerous AQI reading of 456 (hazardous), bypassing Lahore, which dropped to second place (though still dangerous) with an AQI of 332.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was the main pollutant in Lahore at 10:15 a.m., with an average reading of 241 micrograms per cubic metre, which is 48.2 times the guideline value of the World Health Organization (WHO). This is very worrying indeed.
Karachi held onto its fourth place, though air quality deteriorated slightly to the “very unhealthy” AQI of 231. The rapid change seen here suggests a certain volatility in pollution levels within regional countries and an urgent need for protective measures that can safeguard public health.
The air quality level in other cities of Punjab was also very dangerous. In Gujranwala, the Amount Of Pollution Index hit 431, compared with a limit set by the World Health Organization, 61.4 times above that level. Faisalabad had an AQI of 337 with particulate matter concentrations more than nine times its international guidelines limit.
Punjab authorities feel that the poor air quality is due to polluting winds that blow over from India and adjacent areas. This toxic smog has blanketed much of the Punjab region and northern India for some days, causing visibility to be sharply reduced by damaging eyes and provoking a note these looks. And there is absolutely no wind to blow it away, just thick black smoke filling the air everywhere. In this situation, many different symptoms of ill health are invoked in people–sore throats, coughs, and so on.
According to public health experts, residents should reduce outdoor activities and always wear protective masks when necessary.
An official of the Punjab Environment Department pointed out in a recent pronouncement that the bay Chung iid hang (from India to Pakistan) air pollution affected Lahore as well.
“Lahore’s average AQI is predicted to be 320-360. When the pollution level soars, it is a bit under control at this time. There is an expectation,” he says, “improvement on air quality from 1 pm to 5 pm.”
The transportation industry was also affected as this situation meant that there was reduced visibility due to fog and smog.
The Peshawar to Rashakai section of the M-1 Motorway has been temporarily closed due to the dense fog. Fortunately, now all traffic is open for business on it–a motorway police spokesman said, owing to improved visibility.
Meanwhile, authorities have advised people to avoid traveling unless it is necessary during a foggy period to avoid accidents and for their safety. The smog season is concurrent with the onset of winter; cold weather, foggy and still air, vehicle and factory smoke, and extensive burning of crops confluence to pollute the atmosphere with toxic gases and trap them close to the ground in the Punjab plains.
The World Health Organization mentions that this annual event is a severe health hazard since getting exposed to the contaminated air for an extended period raises one’s risk of a stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.
With a deteriorated air situation remaining a significant problem all around, part of the solution to addressing health concerns at the peak of the smog season calls for urgent intervention and the public’s contribution.
