Lahore, the eastern Pakistani city, has been ranked as the second most polluted city in the world, according to the latest listing by IQAir. The Air Quality Index (AQI) for Lahore was recorded at 470, categorized as ‘hazardous.’ This follows an annual global survey in 2022 that labeled Lahore as the city with the worst air quality.
Last week, Lahore faced heavy smog, prompting authorities to close schools and markets in Punjab, the most populous province, of which Lahore is the capital. The AQI for Lahore later improved to 252, classified as “unhealthy.”
The concentration of PM2.5 particles in Lahore, as reported by IQAir, is currently 40.4 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual air quality guideline value. The WHO recommends a maximum PM2.5 concentration of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
The smog situation has led residents to express health concerns due to reduced visibility and poor air quality. Delhi topped the list of the most polluted cities, while Karachi in Pakistan ranked third, with an AQI of 179, considered “unhealthy.” PM2.5 concentration in Karachi is reported to be 21.9 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value.
Heavy industrialization in South Asia, coupled with factors like construction activity and increased vehicle emissions, has contributed to escalating air pollution. The issue intensifies during the cooler autumn and winter months when temperature inversion traps pollutants closer to the ground, aggravating health risks for the population.
