Air pollution levels in Lahore rise 80 times above WHO limit

Date:

Air pollution levels in Pakistan’s second biggest city Lahore reached an unprecedented high on Saturday, soaring more than 80 times above the WHO’s acceptable limit for pollutants. Authorities have imposed strict new restrictions, including partial work-from-home mandates and curfews.

Air pollution in Pakistan’s second biggest city Lahore soared on Saturday more than 80 times over the level deemed acceptable by the World Health Organization (WHO), with an official calling it record high.

The level of deadly PM2.5 pollutants — fine particulate matter in the air that causes the most damage to health — peaked at 1,067, before dropping to around 300 in the morning, with anything above 10 considered unhealthy by the WHO.

“We have never reached a level of 1,000,” Jahangir Anwar, a senior environmental protection official in Lahore told AFP.

For days, Lahore has been enveloped by smog, a mix of fog and pollutants caused by low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal agricultural burning and winter cooling.

“The air quality index will remain high for the next three to four days,” Anwar said.

On Wednesday, the provincial environmental protection agency announced new restrictions in four “hot spots” in the city.

Tuk-tuks equipped with polluting two-stroke engines are banned, as are restaurants that barbecue without filters.

Government offices and private companies will have half their staff work from home from Monday.

Construction work has been halted and street and food vendors, who often cook over open fires, must close at 8 pm.

Smog is particularly pronounced in winter, when cold, denser air traps emissions from poor-quality fuels used to power the city’s vehicles and factories at ground level.

Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Read also:
Pakistan uses artificial rain to combat smog
Only one-third of Europe’s surface water is in good health, report warns
Tinned tuna sold in Europe contaminated with dangerous levels of mercury, NGOs say

Share post:

Popular

More like this
Related

The third round of the LPGA’s Toto Japan Classic was rained out thanks to a tropical storm

The third round of the LPGA's 2024 Toto Japan...

Liverpool v Brighton LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as Reds seek key win

Liverpool will aim to keep up their impressive Premier...

Liverpool v Brighton LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as Reds hunt key win

Liverpool will aim to keep up their impressive Premier...

Hull hangs on to win in Riyadh

Aramco Team Series, Riyadh - final leaderboard-18 C Hull...