Lahore Declared Worlds Most Polluted City as Air Quality Takes a Toll on Lifespan

Lahore, October 29 (Daily Kiran) : Lahore has been named the most polluted city in the world, with an alarming air quality index (AQI) of 419 recorded on October 29. A recent report highlights that air pollution is cutting the average lifespan in Pakistan by 3.9 years, leading to approximately 128,000 premature deaths annually.

According to a report by the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, Lahore held the top position in the IQAir global ranking between 10 and 11 AM on the same day. Cairo, Egypt, ranked second with an AQI of 274, while Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, was listed eighth with an AQI of 165.

The Punjab government‘s air quality monitoring dashboard indicates that pollution levels remain hazardous in several cities across the province. Kasur reported the highest pollution levels, with other cities like Nankana Sahib at 261 AQI, Hafizabad at 250, Sahiwal at 210, Sheikhupura at 205, Jhang at 203, and Rajanpur at 201. Additionally, Multan and Gujranwala recorded AQIs of 194, while Bhakkar and Vehari reported 186 and 181, respectively.

The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) reveals that air pollution significantly impacts the country’s economy, affecting around 6.5% of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The report titled “Unveiling Pakistan’s Air Pollution: A National Landscape Report on Health Risks, Sources, and Solutions” provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions from various sectors for the first time. It analyzes air quality in major cities and identifies key pollution sources.

The study examined pollution levels in cities such as Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Peshawar, suggesting that emissions from polluting sources could be reduced by up to 50% with appropriate measures. The report assesses emissions of carbon dioxide, particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), along with emissions from different sectors across four urban air zones.

Lahore’s annual average concentration of PM2.5 exceeds 110 micrograms per cubic meter, which is more than 22 times the World Health Organization’s guideline of five micrograms per cubic meter. Prolonged exposure to such pollution levels could reduce life expectancy in Lahore by up to seven years.

The Express Tribune reports that the primary source of PM2.5 pollution in Lahore is the transportation sector, followed by industrial contributions at 28% and brick kilns at 17%. Pollutants from these sources severely impact the city’s air quality, with winter weather conditions exacerbating the situation.