ISLAMABAD: Lahore once again topped the list of world's most polluted cities while Karachi ranked at number six, Swiss monitoring group IQAir reported on Thursday as Pakistan grapples with toxic smog choking its two largest cities.
According to IQAir, Lahore reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 598, which was categorized as "hazardous" while Karachi recorded a reading of 162 categorized as "unhealthy." The capitals of India and Beijing followed Lahore by coming in at number two and three in the list of most polluted cities, respectively, recording IQAir indexes of 475 and 175.
Lahore recorded a PM2.5 of 374.4 µg/m³. The PM2.5 refers to floating particulate matter in the air measuring 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less that can be absorbed into the bloodstream upon inhalation.
"PM2.5 concentration is currently 74.9 times the World Health Organization annual PM2.5 guideline value," IQAir said regarding Lahore, Punjab's provincial capital.
IQAir warned Lahore residents against taking part in outdoor exercises, advising them to keep their windows closed, wear masks outdoors and operate air purifiers.
Lahore faces worsening smog each winter from crop burning, vehicle emissions and industrial pollution that threaten public health and daily life. Smog can cause sore throats, eye irritation and respiratory illnesses, while long-term exposure increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and lung cancer.
Smog season begins in late October, peaks from November to January and lasts through February.
Earlier in October, the government in Pakistan's most populous Punjab province conducted its first anti-smog gun operation, which helped lower the city’s unhealthy air quality levels. Anti-smog trucks sprayed fine water mist across the city to help settle dust and pollutants.
Pakistan’s main urban centers routinely rank among the most polluted cities in the world, with vehicular emissions remaining one of the top contributors to air pollution.
This severe air pollution also undermines economic productivity and diminishes the quality of life for millions of residents.
