Lahore ranks as world’s most polluted city with AQI of 419, Pakistan’s air crisis deepens
Lahore recorded an AQI of 419, the worst in the world on Oct 29. See how Karachi, Kasur and other Pakistani cities fared and what smog means for health
PTC Web Desk: Lahore has once again found itself at the top of a list nobody wants to lead. On Thursday morning, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 419, making it the most polluted city in the world, according to IQAir’s live ranking.
The reading, taken between 10 am and 11 am on October 29, falls firmly in the “hazardous” category. Egypt’s capital Cairo came second with an AQI of 274, a figure far below Lahore’s. Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, stood eighth globally at 165, as reported by Dawn.
Punjab’s other cities also struggle
Lahore was not alone. Data from the Punjab government’s air quality dashboard showed unhealthy readings across the province, with Kasur reported as the most affected district. Other major readings included: Nankana Sahib: 261, Hafizabad: 250. Sahiwal: 210, Sheikhupura: 205, Jhang: 203, Rajanpur: 201, Multan and Gujranwala: 194 each, Bhakkar: 186 and Vehari: 181
The cost to human health
The numbers carry a heavy human toll. Estimates suggest that toxic air shortens life expectancy in Pakistan by around 3.9 years on average and contributes to roughly 128,000 premature deaths every year.
For Lahore residents, the picture is bleaker still. Data released by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) indicates that long-term exposure could cut life expectancy in the city by as much as seven years.
First national report on pollution sources
PAQI’s report, titled Unveiling Pakistan’s Air Pollution: A National Landscape Report on Health Risks, Sources, and Solutions, is the first to bring together a unified, multi-sector emissions inventory for the country. It also compares air quality across several cities, including Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Peshawar.
The study identifies the main sources of pollution and lays out steps that could reduce pollutants by up to 50 percent, according to The Express Tribune.
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