Pakistan Ranks Third In Global Pollution As Smog Crisis Worsens

Pakistan ranks as the third most polluted country worldwide in 2024, exacerbated by a significant smog crisis affecting public health. The average PM2.5 concentration reached alarming levels, prompting experts to urge immediate policy action to protect its populace. Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar ranked among the most affected cities, revealing critical concerns regarding air quality management.

In 2024, Pakistan was ranked as the third most polluted country globally, confronting an unprecedented smog crisis that significantly affected public health, according to the latest World Air Quality Report. This report, issued by the Swiss air technology firm IQAir, indicated that only Chad and Bangladesh had higher pollution levels than Pakistan. The Democratic Republic of Congo and India followed in the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, underscoring the severity of the issue in the region.

The report highlighted that the average concentration of PM2.5, a harmful fine particulate matter, in Pakistan was recorded at 73.7 micrograms per cubic meter, which is nearly 15 times higher than the safe limit defined by the World Health Organization. The report also noted that Punjab particularly experienced alarming levels of smog, prompting authorities to declare the situation a calamity. Nearly two million individuals sought medical attention due to pollution-related illnesses, leading to school closures and restrictions in heavily affected areas.

Pakistan’s major cities, including Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot, ranked among the most polluted in Central and South Asia, as the report categorized them among the top fifteen worst-affected areas. The report attributed high pollution levels in Pakistan to factors such as biomass burning, industrial emissions, vehicular pollutants, brick kilns, and dust from construction activities.

In contrast to the previous year, pollution levels deteriorated in cities such as Peshawar, Islamabad, and Lahore, while Faisalabad saw a minor increase. Notably, Karachi showed some improvement, with PM2.5 levels decreasing from over 55 μg/m³ to around 46 μg/m³. The report also revealed that five cities in Pakistan exhibited dangerously high PM2.5 levels exceeding 200 μg/m³ in November 2023.

A survey by Ipsos found that approximately 70% of the population in Pakistan fell victim to health complications attributed to smog, raising alarms about the air quality crisis. Environmental experts have emphasized the need for immediate policy action to address these escalating pollution levels and protect public health effectively.

The 2024 World Air Quality Report reveals Pakistan’s grim air quality situation, positioning the country as the third most polluted globally due to severe smog crises affecting public health. With toxic PM2.5 levels soaring well above safe limits, a significant portion of the population suffers health-related issues. Experts continue to advocate for urgent action to combat this burgeoning crisis and safeguard the health of the citizenry.

Original Source: www.republicworld.com