Lahore: According to the latest data from the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Advanced Smog and Meteorological Monitoring System, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has been recorded at 211, which is extremely unsafe and harmful to human health.
According to the international organization IQ Air, Lahore topped the list of the most polluted cities in the world on Wednesday. The report said that the polluted air coming from India has increased the amount of suspended particles (PM2.5) in the city’s air, due to which the air has become heavier and more harmful to health.
According to the EPA Punjab, the wind speed is currently between one and three kilometers per hour, due to which the polluted particles are accumulating near the ground instead of dissolving in the air. This process has made the city’s air even more hazy and unbreathable.
According to the EPA report, the Air Quality Index (AQI) situation in different cities from 12 am last night to 7 am was as follows:
Punjab Air Quality Index readings
Measurement period: 12:00 AM to 7:00 AM
| City | AQI |
|---|---|
| Gujrat | 228 |
| Gujranwala | 226 |
| Lahore | 211 |
| Kasur | 182 |
| Narowal | 177 |
| Dera Ghazi Khan | 166 |
| Faisalabad | 161 |
| Mandi Bahauddin | 159 |
| Hassan Abdal | 157 |
| Sialkot | 157 |
| Sahiwal | 147 |
| Multan | 144 |
| Bhakkar | 143 |
| Muzaffargarh | 140 |
| Sialkot (second station) | 133 |
| Chakwal | 129 |
| Rawalpindi | 127 |
| Rahim Yar Khan | 98 |
Health advisory: AQI values above 200 are very unhealthy. Sensitive groups, children, elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions should avoid outdoor exposure. Consider using masks and air purifiers where available.
According to government sources, special anti-smog measures are being initiated in Lahore to deal with the increasing dangers of smog, which include strict monitoring of emissions from industries and traffic.
