Lahore, (Newsman): The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore remained in the “Hazardous” category on Wednesday, as the city retained its position as the most polluted in the world.
According to IQAir, which tracks real-time global air quality data, Lahore’s AQI reached 425 at around 8:25 p.m. on Wednesday, making it the top-ranked city on the list of the most polluted cities worldwide.
At the same time, the concentration of PM2.5 pollutants—fine particulate matter that poses serious health risks—was recorded at 288 micrograms per cubic meter in Lahore. This is more than 57 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual air quality guideline value.
Lahore, with a population of over 14 million, consistently ranks as one of the most polluted cities globally. The AQI scale is categorized as follows:
- Below 50: Good
- 51-100: Moderate
- 101-150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
- 151-200: Unhealthy
- 201-300: Very unhealthy
- 301 and above: Hazardous
A report from the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, as part of this year’s Life Quality Index, estimates that the residents of Lahore could have their lives shortened by as much as 7.5 years due to the poor air quality.
In response to the worsening smog crisis, the Punjab government has closed schools and restricted access to public places, including parks, zoos, playgrounds, amusement parks, historical sites, monuments, and museums in smog-hit districts, including Lahore.
Yesterday, Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has called smog a serious public health threat, warning that it could cause up to 250,000 premature deaths.
The smog situation in Lahore and other major cities like Multan in Punjab remains particularly concerning, with Lahore continuing to be the most polluted city in the world for several days.
