KARACHI: Karachi has been ranked as the world’s most polluted city in the world again with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 226.
Karachi’s air has been classified as extremely polluted and hazardous to health, with a particulate matter (PM) reading of 148.5.
Lahore was ranked as the sixth most polluted city in the world with an AQI reading of 184.
World’s most polluted cities
Second on the list is Yangon, a city in Myanmar, with an AQI reading of 198. They are followed by Hanoi, Vietnam, which also has an AQI reading of 198.
An AQI below 50 is considered ‘good’,’moderate’ between ’51 and 100′, ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ at ‘101 and 150’, ‘unhealthy’ at ‘151-200’, very unhealthy at 201-300, and 301 and above is ‘hazardous’.
The city’s worsening air quality can be attributed to cold weather conditions and emissions from vehicles and industries.
According to the WHO, Karachi being ranked as the most polluted city could lead to severe health consequences. These health consequences could include strokes, heart diseases, respiratory illnesses, and lung cancer.
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At this point in time, it is recommended to take precautionary measures. These precautionary measures include wearing a N95 mask while heading out, avoiding going out, using air purifiers at home, and drinking plenty of water.
