The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure of air quality in a city. Among other things, the AQI indicates the concentration of particles called PM2.5 in the air. If the number falls between 151 and 200, the city is classified as unhealthy. If it exceeds the 301 mark, the city is considered to be highly polluted.
Lahore is the world’s most polluted city
Lahore, Pakistan has been named the world’s most polluted city. Its Air Quality Index (AQI) score ranges from 166 to 279 in different areas of the metropolis. The city ranks above the cities of Delhi, India, Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Krakow, Poland, considered highly polluted.
The average air quality index in Lahore is around 300, but it has been as high as 440 and 500. The city’s air pollution causes people to become ill and in some cases, even die. It is also difficult for children to grow normally. This has prompted the local government to temporarily suspend the school system in the winter months.
The poor air quality has forced the closure of some schools, with students unable to complete their studies. The air in Lahore is so thick and stale that breathing through a mask is nearly impossible. On Friday, the air quality in the city hit 296. Despite this, the city remains Pakistan’s cultural capital.
According to the US Air Quality Index, Lahore is the second-most-polluted city in the world. Karachi was ranked third. The air in Lahore has the highest concentration of particulate matter. The air pollution levels in the two cities have caused a concern in the Punjab government.
Lahore’s air pollution is, caused by a mixture of industrial emissions, vehicles, and dust. Various development projects contribute to the pollution in Lahore. For example, many farmers burn crop residues and set fire to the remains of their fields. Other sources of pollution include construction sites and factories. The air pollution is even worse during the winter because of the temperature inversion, a layer of warm air that traps pollutants.
The Punjab government is trying to combat the pollution problem. It has closed 500 industrial units and imposed heavy fines on brick kilns and smoke-emitting vehicles. It is also working on a long-term action plan. However, one environmental lawyer said that the government has failed to do enough to improve the air quality in Lahore.
While Pakistan’s government is working to improve air quality, a real-time data on air pollution is critical. By knowing what the air quality is, people can better protect themselves and prevent it from worsening. This is why it’s crucial to reduce industrial and vehicular emissions. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has stated that tackling the pollution problem is a priority for his government. He has pledged to set up ten air quality monitoring stations in Lahore.
Considered “unhealthy” if its PM rating falls between 151 and 200
According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), a city is classified as unhealthy if its PM rating falls between 151 to 200. Cities that fall between 201 and 300 fall into the “highly unhealthy” category and those with PM ratings over 301 are, considered dangerous. On November 2, smog in Lahore reached levels that were nearly twice as high as they are in New York, and many citizens of the city complained of blurry vision and breathing problems.
According to IQAir, the air quality index for Lahore is high, a higher PM index means that the air is more harmful to human health. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution is responsible for the deaths of millions of people worldwide every year. In Pakistan, air pollution is responsible for one out of every ten deaths in children over the age of five.
Air pollution is a huge concern in almost every country, especially in developing countries, and Pakistan’s Lahore and Karachi are among the most polluted cities in the world. According to the US Air Quality Index, both cities have Particulate Matter (PM) ratings that fall between 151 and 200. In Lahore, the PM rating was 181, while in Karachi, it was 163. According to the US Air Quality Index, this is a highly unhealthful level of air pollution, which means that people living in both cities need to take steps to protect themselves from the dangerous PM levels.
Considered “highly unhealthy” if its PM rating crosses the 301 mark
Air pollution is a big concern for almost every country in the world. In Pakistan, two major cities – Lahore and Karachi – were listed as the most polluted cities in the world. Earlier this month, Lahore was on the list too, as its AQI hit the 201 mark and its PM index reached a high of 289 on November 2. Residents reported breathing problems and blurred vision, which is a symptom of poor air quality.
The Air Quality Index categorises cities according to their PM ratings. If the PM reading is between 151 and 200, a city is considered unhealthy. If it crosses the 300 mark, a city is classified as “highly unhealthy” and dangerous to breathe.
