In Punjab, Smog Commission recommendations ignored
Experts complain of lack of tangible results with respect to reduction in air pollution
ILLUSTRATION: MOHSIN ALAM
LAHORE:
Environmental organisations have expressed concerns over the lack of progress on recommendations put forth by the Smog Commission to deal with the alarmingly high level of air pollution in Punjab.
The World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) recently highlighted that Lahore continues to grab the second position with respect to atmospheric pollution among major cities of the world with Air Quality Index (AQI) score exceeding 500 at times. Meanwhile, Air Visual – an air quality monitoring application states that AQI score 300-500 or above is classified as hazardous, indicating a health emergency. In such circumstances, citizens should be encouraged to limit their outdoor activities and wear masks to protect themselves from the suspended particulate matter.
Capital breathes healthy air after months in Islamabad
Hazardous pollutants recorded within safe limits
Air Quality Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The air quality of the federal capital recorded improvement after repeated days of polluted ambience as hazardous pollutants were below permissible levels. Previously, the air quality had reached a record high, however, the new year has brought it with much relief for the immunocompromised citizens of Islamabad.
According to the data released by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), the particulate of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which is a hazardous ambient air pollutant causing chronic respiratory diseases and premature deaths, was recorded within safe limits in the capital s air on Wednesday, a spokesperson shared.
Capital’s air quality unhealthy for sensitive people
Islamabad
December 20, 2020
Islamabad : The air quality in the federal capital on Saturday was unhealthy for the people belonging to sensitive groups particularly lungs and heart disease patients, older people, children and teenagers as air pollutant ratio was recorded beyond safer limits.
The latest data released by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), the particulate of 2.5 (PM2.5) microns which was a hazardous ambient air pollutant causing chronic respiratory diseases and premature deaths.
The PM2.5 not only exceeded National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) of 35 micrograms per cubic meter rather World Health Organization (WHO) standard of 20 micrograms per cubic meter.
While a confluence of natural phenomenon aggravates air pollution in winters, the quality of air in Karachi largely remains poor the whole year. File photo
KARACHI: While a confluence of natural phenomenon aggravates air pollution in winters, the quality of air in Karachi largely remains poor the whole year; and levels of air pollution may worsen if drastic remedial measures are not taken, experts have warned.
They were speaking to Dawn in the backdrop of recent global air quality data showing Karachi among the worst polluted cities of the world quite a few times this month.
“While the city currently has no government mechanism in place to monitor its air quality, the data being generated privately is very much reliable; and can be generalised over the entire city and used for reference purposes,” said Engineer Danish Khan working as technical adviser to the vice chancellor of the NED University of Engineering and Technology.