Toxic smog descends on the city

As smog season approaches, Lahore has once again ranked among the most polluted cities in the world with the US Air Quality Index (AQI) registering a score of 156 on Sunday.

Owing to weekly holiday, industrial and commercial activities were suspended but air quality of the provincial capital and adjoining areas was still ‘unhealthy’ – with pollution concentration of PM2.5 at 64.6 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³).

A day earlier, on Saturday evening, AQI reading was recorded at 225, indicating a ‘very unhealthy’ atmosphere. Despite deteriorated atmospheric conditions, the use of coal, tyres and other waste still continued in different areas across the city.

Residents from Bund Road, China Scheme, Grand Trunk Road and other nearby areas complained that several industrial units and mills are burning coal and tyres for fuel.

A resident of China Scheme, Ehsan Ahmad, pointed out that steel mills along the Lahore Ring Road are burning tyres to save their fuel cost.

“Residents of the area have complained to authorities concerned for numerous times but no action has been taken till date,” he lamented.

“Whenever we put clothes in open for drying, they turn black owing to high-level of carbon particles in the air. Rooftops of almost all houses have been blackened owing to tyres and coal ash. Respiratory, throat and skin diseases are common among residents,” said another resident of same neighbourhood, Shan Raza.

Similarly, a Kot Lakhpat Industrial Estate shopkeeper, Amir Dar, said several industries in the estate are still burning coal for energy generation, though smog has started to grip the metropolis. Carbon particles and ash can be seen in the atmosphere, especially in evenings. Punjab Environment Department and other government agencies should check the irresponsible attitude of elements in the business community.

Punjab Minister for Environment Muhammad Rizwan said the government has already declared smog as a calamity and initiated a comprehensive strategy to counter it. He highlighted that vehicular traffic is a one of the major causes of smog in the province, especially in urban areas, as vehicles contribute 43% environmental pollution in cities. “Similarly, 25% pollution is caused by industries and 20% in result of litter and crops residue burning.”

He further said the environment department, in collaboration with other government agencies, had already identified factories and kilns causing pollution. The department has initiated action against smoke emitting vehicles and old-style brick kiln. The government has also decided to close down brick kilns using old technology during November and December to curtail smog.

The department had also drafted new rules for effective enforcement of environmental laws. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) will take stringent action against persistent defaulters, operating their units without obtaining requisite environmental approval. Owing to weak enforcement, he highlighted, most industries across Punjab are operating without mandatory environmental approval and no objection certificate (NOC).

Meanwhile, to sensitise the public about smog and environment pollution, senior management of the Lahore Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has decided to use bicycles for travelling to office once a week. WASA managing director along with several other officials reached their office on bicycles.

What is PM2.5?

PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair. Commonly written as PM2.5, particles in this category are so small that they can only be detected with an electron microscope.

Since they are so small and light, fine particles, they tend to stay longer in the air than heavier particles. This increases the chances of humans and animals inhaling them into the bodies. Owing to their minute size, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers are able to pass the nose and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs and some may even enter the circulatory system.

Several studies have found a close link between exposure to fine particles and premature death from heart and lung disease. Fine particles are also known to trigger or worsen chronic disease such as asthma, heart attack, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2020.