LAHORE, (Newsman): The air quality in Lahore showed some improvement on Wednesday but remained in the “hazardous” category, according to a report by IQAir, a global air quality tracking platform.
At 8:40 AM, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 334, making it the second most polluted city worldwide, just after Delhi, where the AQI was recorded at 475.
Other cities like Multan, Rawalpindi, and Karachi also reported poor air quality. Multan had an AQI of 326, while Rawalpindi and Karachi recorded AQIs of 190 and 188, respectively.
The concentration of PM2.5 pollutants (fine particulate matter that poses serious health risks) in Lahore was measured at 241 micrograms per cubic meter—over 48 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended annual air quality limit.
Also Read: Air Pollution Sickens 1.9 Million in Punjab
To put it in perspective, AQI levels are categorized as follows: below 50 is considered “good,” between 51-100 is “moderate,” 101-150 is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 151-200 is “unhealthy,” 201-300 is “very unhealthy,” and 301 or above is “hazardous.”
A recent report by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute highlighted that the poor air quality in Lahore has led to a life expectancy reduction of 7.5 years for its residents.
Also Read: Smog Crisis Engulfs Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, and Multan Face Hazardous Air Quality
In response to the worsening smog crisis, the Punjab government has closed schools and public spaces, including parks, zoos, playgrounds, and museums, in districts heavily affected by smog, including Lahore.
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has called the smog a serious health threat, warning that it could lead to 250,000 premature deaths.
The air quality situation in Lahore and Multan remains particularly alarming, with Lahore having ranked as the most polluted city in the world for several days in a row.
