Punjab capital Lahore on Saturday morning recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 1,067 around 9:30 a.m., with a PM2.5 concentration 122 times the World Health Organization (WHO) annual air quality guidelines, raising concerns over public health.
The AQI is a measure of the cleanliness of the environment. Values under 100 are generally deemed satisfactory, while values between 101 and 300 are considered unhealthy. Any value of the AQI beyond 300 is seen as “hazardous,” with health experts warning that breathing such air is akin to poison. According to WHO, sustained exposure to such hazardous air quality can reduce life expectancy by 5-10 years.
While the citywide average was 1,067, some areas reported AQI of more than 1,400, while “greener” areas had AQI levels ranging from 200 to 500.
PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter that has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, small enough to be detectable only with an electron microscope. These fine particles, which can come from various sources including power plants, motor vehicle emissions, and agricultural burning, last longer in the air than heavier particles. This increases chances of them being inhaled by humans and animals, where they can bypass the nose and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs. The air pollution worsens during winter, emerging as smog, due to temperature inversion, which produces a layer of warm air that traps air pollutants.
Over the past two weeks, with the onset of winter, Lahore’s air quality has steadily worsened, with a few brief bouts of respite. Unhealthy and hazardous air qualities have been similarly reported from other cities of Punjab, but Lahore has consistently emerged as among the “most polluted cities” of Earth.
The Punjab government has sought to address the problem through various measures, declaring smog a “calamity” earlier this week. It has imposed bans on all activities that could boost pollutants in the air, including open air cooking. It has also identified smog “hotspots” that are facing stringent restrictions, imposing a “green lockdown” in them. However, some of the worst hit areas, like DHA, remain off the list, raising questions over the viability of such a plan.
As part of preventative measures, the government has banned the burning of crop residue, solid waste, tyres, rubber and plastics, as well as vehicles emitting “visible smoke and pollutants falling into inadmissible limits.” It has also banned industries working without emission control systems. Earlier this week, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reiterated a call for “smog diplomacy” with neighboring India. She said she would soon write to the chief minister of Indian Punjab, seeking cooperation to curb pollution that knows no borders.
While smog is not a new phenomenon in Pakistan, it has taken on greater urgency this year as the AQI value soars beyond previous records. Experts and observers have urged the government to adopt a more robust plan to tackle smog, rather than piecemeal measures, including shutting down schools when the smog levels reach hazardous levels to prevent children from suffering the worst effects.
It is advised that so long as smog persists, the elderly, children and the infirm should stay indoors with the windows closed. Doctors also say people who feel the affects of smog should drink plenty of water, rinse out their eyes at least once an hour, and wear face masks if they have to travel outside.