Capital’s air quality remains hazardous
The federal capital’s air quality on Friday was reported unhealthy amid inclement weather.
According to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA)’s daily air quality report, the worsening air quality posed serious threats to vulnerable age groups including children, the elderly and persons suffering with various types of respiratory ailments.
Air pollution in the capital remained high since the onset of the fall season as prolonged dry weather, increased vehicular traffic, garbage and wood burning continued to surge, the report stated.
Pak-EPA daily air quality report indicated the heightened ratio of air pollutants, recorded above permissible limits.
The hazardous air pollutant particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which is a hazardous atmospheric contaminant, remained beyond 70 micro grammes per cubic meter on average which is higher than the NEQS of 35 micro grammes per cubic meter.
PM2.5 is generated through the combustion of engines, industrial emissions, burning garbage or inflammable material and dust blown up by fast-moving cars plying on non-cemented patches of the roads.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2023.