Lahore has once again become the world’s most polluted city, with the air quality index (AQI) reaching hazardous levels on Thursday, a significant drop after a brief period of improvement.
The temporary improvement in the city’s air quality was attributed to stringent measures by the provincial government aimed at curbing pollution. However, air quality worsened dramatically on Thursday, with the AQI reaching 611 by 10:30 AM and PM2.5 levels soaring to 381, which is 76.2 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual air quality guideline.
The threshold of 600 is considered hazardous to human health, according to Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir. In a concerning development, the US consulate area in Lahore recorded an AQI of 1055.
For nearly two months, the densely populated province of Punjab, home to over half of Pakistan’s 240 million population, has been engulfed by thick smog, prompting the provincial government to impose measures akin to a lockdown in severely affected areas. These measures included school closures, restrictions on public spaces, and limitations on restaurant and market hours.
These actions temporarily helped reduce smog levels, as indicated by air quality monitoring data. However, following the easing of restrictions after a slight improvement in air quality, AQI levels have surged again.
Elsewhere in Pakistan, Multan, the second-most polluted city in the country, recorded an AQI of 260, classified as “very unhealthy,” though this is a significant drop from its previous AQI of 1,571. The concentration of PM2.5 particles in Multan was 37 times higher than the WHO’s recommended safe levels.
Peshawar ranked as the third-most polluted city, with an AQI of 259 and PM2.5 levels 36.8 times higher than the WHO guidelines. Karachi, with an AQI of 162, was the fifth-most polluted city in Pakistan and ranked seventh globally for poor air quality, with particulate matter levels 14.2 times higher than recommended.
Each winter, a mix of emissions from factories, vehicles, and seasonal crop burning contributes to the thick smog that blankets parts of Punjab, trapped by cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds.
A study by the University of Chicago reveals that the high pollution levels in Lahore, home to 14 million people, have already reduced life expectancy by 7.5 years. Prolonged exposure to toxic air has severe health risks, including strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory issues, according to the WHO.
Similar pollution challenges are faced in New Delhi, India, where air quality has also deteriorated. Experts suggest that modernizing vehicle fleets, revising farming practices, and transitioning to renewable energy sources are essential for alleviating the recurring smog that affects millions in both Pakistan and India each year.
