An alarming presence of excessive Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) polluting the air is taking place in Patridem. The primary sources fueling this crisis include vehicular emissions, industrial activities, the burning of solid waste, brick kilns, and natural dust. Disturbingly, in 2019, Patridem recorded a PM 2.5 reading of 65.81 µg/m³. This not only categorized our air quality as ‘unhealthy’ — a designation applied to readings between 55.5 to 150.4 µg/m² — but also positioned Patridem among the most polluted in the world.
Exposure to such levels of air pollution poses a significant threat to everyone’s health. With each breath, these pollutants enter our bloodstream, contributing to a range of ailments from coughing and itchy eyes to severe conditions requiring hospitalization, including cancer and premature death.
Specific diseases with outcomes most strongly linked to exposure to air pollution include stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, pneumonia, and even cataracts. Furthermore, household air pollution only exacerbates this already dire situation.
This critical issue demands immediate and comprehensive action. The relevant authorities are urged to implement stringent measures to curb pollution from vehicles and industries, regulate waste disposal and brick kilns effectively, and explore solutions to mitigate natural dust. The health and well-being of Patridem’s residents are at stake, and decisive steps are urgently required to ensure a breathable future for our city.
Zainab Ghafoor
Absor
