LAHORE, (TDI): The air quality in Pakistan’s second biggest city Lahore reached a dangerous level again and has been ranked worst air quality affected city in the world.
According to real-time data from the Swiss group IQAir, air pollution index in Lahore soared on Thursday to 349 more than 50 times over the level deemed acceptable by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The air quality above 301 is considering dangerous and poses serious health risks, including respiratory infections, heart diseases, eye irritation, and skin conditions for the city’s residents.
The concentration of PM2.5 pollutants in Lahore, fine particulate matter that can cause significant health problems, was recorded at 249.5 micrograms per cubic meter—over 49 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual air quality guideline.
Meanwhile, Delhi, the national capital of India, recorded an AQI of 276, making it the second most polluted city in the world.
Kolkata, another major Indian city, had an AQI of 262, placing it in the ‘very unhealthy’ category and making it the third most polluted city globally.
Understanding the AQI
An AQI score below 50 is considered ‘good,’ while 51-100 is ‘moderate.’ An AQI between 101-150 is categorized as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ 151-200 as ‘unhealthy,’ 201-300 as ‘very unhealthy,’ and 301 and above is deemed ‘hazardous.’
According to this year’s Life Quality Index Institute report, the people of Lahore could have their lives shortened by an average of 7.5 years due to the harmful air they are breathing.
In response to the smog crisis, the Punjab government has closed public places such as parks, zoos, playgrounds, historical sites, monuments, and museums in districts affected by smog, including Lahore.
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal had said last month that smog is a serious threat, warning that it could result in 250,000 premature deaths.
