LAHORE: Air pollution in Lahore increased on Saturday, with levels of PM2.5 pollutants exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) limit by more than 80 times.
According to environmental officials, the concentration of these fine particulate matter particles peaked at 1,067 micrograms per cubic meter before settling around 300 in the morning, far surpassing the WHO’s threshold of 10 micrograms, which is considered unhealthy.
Jahangir Anwar, a senior official with the Environmental Protection Agency in Lahore, expressed alarm over the figures, stating, “We have never reached a level of 1,000.” He further said that the city’s air quality index is expected to remain elevated for the next three to four days, a situation attributed to a combination of factors including low-grade diesel emissions, smoke from seasonal agricultural burning, and winter cooling conditions.
The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency imposed new restrictions in four identified “hot spots” within the city. Furthermore, the agency mandated that all “Schools of Special Education” in Lahore grant three months of compulsory leave to students with medical conditions sensitive to poor air quality.
During an ongoing debate in the Punjab Assembly regarding smog and water scarcity, lawmakers from both the ruling party and the opposition have proposed measures to reduce industrial and vehicular emissions. Suggested actions include enforcing stricter regulations to combat environmental pollution.
To mitigate the severe pollution, the government has implemented a range of temporary measures. Tuk-tuks powered by polluting two-stroke engines are prohibited, and restaurants that lack adequate smoke filtration systems for barbecuing are also banned.
Starting Monday, government offices and private businesses will have half of their staff work remotely. Construction activities have been suspended, and street vendors, who often use open flames for cooking, are required to cease operations by 8 PM.
The phenomenon of smog typically intensifies during the winter months when colder, denser air traps pollutants at ground level, creating hazardous conditions for the city’s residents.
