Lahore tops list of most-polluted cities of world

Lahore has once again topped the dirtiest cities of the world list with its air quality index touching 164 points triggering a health alarm, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

The air quality in big cities of Pakistan including Lahore and Karachi has been termed extremely hazardous which are causing various ailments like lung damage, asthma, heart problem, bronchial infections, strokes, etc. 

Ahead of the winter season every year, the smog situation worsens in Lahore due to stubble-burning. 

The Global Alliance on Health and Pollution estimated in 2019 that 128,000 Pakistanis die annually due to air pollution-related illnesses. Decision-makers have been slow to react to the pollution problem. 

According to the Air Quality Index Life, air pollution in Pakistan is reducing almost four years of the average age of its citizens, while the average life expectancy of those who breathe in the polluted air of Lahore is decreasing by 5 years.

According to the report of the Air Quality Life Index in 2021, Pakistan has become the fourth most polluted country in the world. About 210 million people in Pakistan are affected by pollution. Due to pollution, the average age of Pakistani citizens is decreasing by 3 to 4 years.

There are several factors which are responsible for the decline in air quality in Pakistan cities. The major factors are included: vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, fossil fuel-fired power plants, burning of waste materials, and coal being burned by thousands of brick kilns.

Reporter Rao Dilshad