Lahore – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Lahore became the most polluted city in the world on Friday morning, as thick smog and dirty air covered large parts of the city. Doctors have advised people to wear masks when they go outside.
According to IQAir, a Swiss air quality website, Lahore sat at the top of its live ranking of major cities. The reading was taken at around 8am. The city’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 344, which falls in the hazardous category.
The main pollutant was PM2.5. These are tiny particles that can harm the body. IQAir said the level in Lahore was 57 times higher than the yearly limit advised by the World Health Organisation.
PM2.5 particles are so small that they can enter the blood. Over time, they raise the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and serious breathing problems.
Across the border, India’s capital Delhi took second place. Its AQI was 244, which is called very unhealthy.
Three other cities also appeared in the ranking. Dakar in Senegal recorded 184, while Mumbai and Kolkata in India recorded 179 and 172. All three were in the unhealthy range.
Air quality was not the same in every part of Lahore. Iqbal Town recorded the highest reading at 535. Airwash on Bedian Road followed with 497, and Kahna recorded 446.
Defence Phase 5 had a reading of 360, and Model Town recorded 350. The lowest among these areas was Barki Road at 253, which is still a high number.
Why does the air get worse in winter? Cooler air stays close to the ground and traps dirty particles. This creates a harmful mix of smoke from burnt crop waste, car fumes, factory smoke and construction dust.
Delhi also faces this problem every year. Officials there often blame farmers who burn crop leftovers in nearby Punjab and Haryana.
Children are at higher risk. Unicef warns that polluted air can cause serious chest infections in young ones, so parents should take extra care.
A 2023 study found that air pollution can cut life expectancy by more than five years in some parts of South Asia. This shows that the problem is not only about a few bad days.
Smog also disturbs daily life. Schools often close, roads become unsafe, and travel slows down. Hospitals see more patients with breathing trouble, which puts pressure on health services.
Doctors suggest some simple steps. Wear a mask outdoors, keep windows closed when the air is bad, and avoid long walks or exercise outside. People with asthma, heart problems and the elderly should be extra careful.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.