Air quality in capital hits new low

Health experts caution sensitive groups against going outside

ISLAMABAD:

The quality of air in the federal capital reached a new low on Wednesday as hazardous pollutants were recorded beyond permissible limits.

Health experts warned residents to avoid prolonged outdoor exertions, especially sensitive groups such as people with lungs and heart diseases, senior citizens, children and teenagers. They advised citizens to wear face masks and to immediately contact a health physician or doctor in case of a serious respiratory issue.

As per the latest data released by the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (PAK-EPA), the particulate of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which is a hazardous ambient air pollutant, causing chronic respiratory diseases and premature deaths was recorded higher than safety limits.

The air quality data revealed that the PM2.5 was recorded at 55.83 micrograms per cubic metre (mg/m3) whereas sulphur dioxide was recorded at 33.8 mg/m3 and nitrogen dioxide was 21.03 mg/m3 against the NEQS of 120 mg/m3 and 80 mg/m3, respectively.

The health experts noted that the PM2.5 exceeds both the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) of 35 mg/m3 and the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard of 20 mg/m3. The PAK-EPA also recorded the worst levels of pollution in the capital during the month of November, they added.

A PAK-EPA spokesperson said that due to the onset of a dry winter season and delayed rainfall, the air quality of the capital had been deteriorating. She reiterated that PM2.5 is the most damaging environmental pollutant as it can easily penetrate into human blood through the lungs.

She stated that sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide come from industrial emissions and car engines at different concentration levels that accumulate into the atmosphere, resulting in air pollution.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2020.