Lahore was on Sunday ranked as the second most polluted city in the world in terms of air quality, according to air quality monitoring platform IQAir.
The air quality index (AQI) is a measure of the concentration of various pollutants in the air, such as fine particles (PM2.5), coarse particles (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3). Any IQAir AQI rating above 150 is considered “unhealthy” and above 200 is considered “very unhealthy.”
Lahore’s AQI reading stood at a very unhealthy level of 189; was overtaken by Delhi, which recorded a reading of 212 around 7:30 p.m.
Additionally, levels of the pollutant PM2.5 were measured at 109 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m³), 21.8 times higher than the World Health Organization’s annual PM2.5 guidelines.
PM2.5 particles are floating particles in the air that measure 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, according to IQAir. PM2.5 is so small that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream when inhaled.
IQAir recommended on its website that Lahore residents avoid outdoor exercise, turn on air purifiers and prioritize wearing masks. He also recommended closing all windows to avoid polluted air from outside.
Historically, Lahore has had to deal with smog and poor air quality in the winter months.
Last year around this time, the air quality in Lahore was recorded at 394 amid the smog crisis, fueled mainly by crop residue burning and industrial emissions. The smog caused widespread health problems among residents, including coughing, breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and skin infections.
To combat smog this year, the Punjab government has introduced “smog guns”, and Punjab Chief Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed that they were already in use across Lahore.
“Through this modern machine, small droplets of water are sprayed into the air to combat smog,” he explained. “Water mist helps in cleaning pollution and dust particles present in the atmosphere. This modern machinery is also being used in countries like China, India and others to reduce smog.”
