According to the latest data from the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the modern smog and meteorological monitoring system, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has been recorded at 211, which is considered extremely hazardous to human health.
According to the international environmental organization IQ Air, Lahore on Wednesday topped the list of the most polluted cities in the world.
The EPA Punjab report said that polluted air coming from India has increased the amount of suspended particles in the air, as a result of which the air quality in Lahore and its surroundings is deteriorating rapidly. At present, the wind speed in the city is recorded at only 1 to 3 kilometers per hour, due to which the polluted particles are accumulating near the ground instead of scattering in the air.
According to the report, the air quality index in various cities of Punjab from 12 am last night to 7 am was as follows:
Punjab Air Quality Index readings
Measurement period: 12:00 AM to 7:00 AM
| City | AQI |
|---|---|
| Gujrat | 228 |
| Gujranwala | 226 |
| Lahore | 211 |
| Kasur | 182 |
| Narowal | 177 |
| Dera Ghazi Khan | 166 |
| Faisalabad | 161 |
| Mandi Bahauddin | 159 |
| Hassan Abdal | 157 |
| Sialkot | 157 |
| Sahiwal | 147 |
| Multan | 144 |
| Bhakkar | 143 |
| Muzaffargarh | 140 |
| Sialkot (second station) | 133 |
| Chakwal | 129 |
| Rawalpindi | 127 |
| Rahim Yar Khan | 98 |
According to environmental experts, an AQI of more than 200 is extremely dangerous for human health, which can increase respiratory, eye and heart diseases.
Citizens have been advised not to leave their homes unnecessarily, with the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions taking special precautions.
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