Uswah Zahid, Jadetimes Staff
U. Zahid is a Jadetimes contributor covering Politics and Sports.
The residents of Pakistan's Lahore have been suffering from the worst air quality due to dense smog as the city retained its title as the most polluted in the world with its air quality index (AQI) surpassing the 1,000-mark on Wednesday morning.
According to the IQ Air, a Swiss air quality technology company, the level of particulate matter (PM2.5) pollutants reached 1,165, which is 125.2 times more than the level recommended by the World Health Organization.
Later in the day, the AQI dropped to 630 but still fluctuated within the "hazardous zone" around 11am PST.
Particulate matter or PM2.5 refers the particles found in the air including dust, soot, dirt, smoke and liquid droplets. They are measured 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller and are not visible to the naked eye. Due to their small size, the PM2.5 particles are considered among the most dangerous airborne pollutants.
The PM2.5 can stay suspended in air for long periods of time and upon inhaling, they can penetrate lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, causing serious health issues. Some short term symptoms include irritation of throat and airways, coughing and difficulty breathing while more serious and long-term complications can include heart and lung disease, bronchitis, emphysema, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, asthma and intense flareups, decreased lung function and early death.
Lahore, which is the largest city of Punjab and the capital of the province, has been suffering from thick smog for days. The Punjab Health Department said that the province has been witnessing an increase in health related issues as it confirmed more than 55,000 cases of eye infections last month from 21 to 27.
The health department further said that more than 6,000 people reported nose, ear, and throat issues with experts advising people to use more water in the smog-hit regions.
In this regard, the Punjab government established a smog war room to review the weather and air quality on a daily basis and monitor the performance and actions of the field officers. The forum consists of staff from eight departments with a single person tasked to oversee the issues.
The government said that data will be analysed twice in daily sessions and stakeholders will be briefed on efforts to fight pollution and daily advisories.
Last week, the provincial government announced the closure of primary schools in Lahore from November 4 to 9 in light of the smog situation in the city after unprecedented score of 1,900. The government also imposed a "green lockdown" in areas considered as the air pollution hotspots.
At that time, Punjab's senior minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, had blamed the toxic air on pollution drifting across the border with India - whose northern areas are also affected by the pollution.
South Asian regions are impacted by severe pollution every year in winter as cold air traps emissions, dust, and smoke from farm fires.
Comments