Lahore retains its position as world’s most polluted city, air quality drops to 303

Lahore: With dangerous air quality measurements presenting a serious threat to public health, Lahore has maintained its ranking as the most polluted city in the world. Recent data indicates that the city’s air quality is exceedingly terrible, with a value of 303 points, according to ARY News.

Concerns have also been raised about the quality of the air in other large Pakistani cities. The air quality ratings in Karachi and Peshawar are 215 and 230 points, respectively, while Multan’s is 268 points. These measurements point to dangerous air quality, which may have detrimental effects on locals’ health.

Punjab is fighting to control extreme air pollution as a result of the arrival of winter, which has caused a sharp rise in air pollution levels in the province. According to ARY News, the air pollution levels have risen to dangerously high levels, beyond the WHO’s safe thresholds.

The provincial capital, Lahore, has been especially hard hit, with days of dense fog engulfing the city. People find it difficult to breathe due to the pollution, which is brought on by a number of things, such as cold weather, smoke from burning crops, and car emissions.

Notably, health professionals have expressed concern about the long-term consequences of such extraordinary pollution levels, especially for communities that are already at risk. Prior to this catastrophe, The Express Tribune said that 12 percent of Pakistani children under five died as a result of air pollution.

These figures are probably going to increase significantly given the present pollution problem.
The health effects, which might have disastrous effects in the next years if remedial actions are not immediately adopted, are anticipated to disproportionately affect children, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing medical issues.

To lessen its effects, the government has taken action. To reduce the public’s exposure to harmful pollutants, schools have been shuttered and restaurants, shops, and marketplaces have had their hours reduced.