LAHORE: The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Lahore continued to remain in the ‘hazardous’ category on Wednesday, with the city retaining its title as the most polluted in the world.
According to a report by IQAir, which tracks real-time data of air quality worldwide, the air quality index (AQI) in Lahore reached 425 around 8:25am on Wednesday, making it the top-ranked city on the list of the most polluted city globally.
At the same time, the concentration of PM2.5 pollutants—fine particulate matter that poses significant health risks—was recorded at 288 micrograms per cubic meter in Lahore, which is over 57 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual air quality guideline value.
Lahore, home to more than 14 million people, constantly ranked as the world most populated city.
An AQI below 50 is considered good ‘moderate’ between ’51 and 100′, ‘unhealthy for sensitive group’ at ‘101 and 150’, ‘unhealthy’ at ‘151-200’, very unhealthy at 201-300, 301 and above is ‘hazardous’.
According to this year’s life quality index Institute report, compiled by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, the people of Lahore have could their lives shortened by 7.5 years due to the poor air they breathe.
An AQI below 50 is considered good ‘moderate’ between ’51 and 100′, ‘unhealthy for sensitive group’ at ‘101 and 150’, ‘unhealthy’ at ‘151-200’, very unhealthy at 201-300, 301 and above is ‘hazardous’.
To control the smog crisis, the Punjab government also has closed schools and closed public places including parks, zoos, playgrounds, joy/play lands, historical places, monuments, and museums in smog-hit districts including Lahore.
Yesterday, Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has described smog as a serious threat and said that it is likely to cause 250,000 premature deaths.
It should be noted that the situation of smog in the capitals of Punjab, Lahore, and Multan, is particularly disturbing. The provincial capital has been the most polluted city in the world for many days.
