Air quality continues to decline in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi's air quality registered a decline, with the air quality index (AQI) dropping from good to satisfactory level, with a rating of 64.

This was revealed in the latest monitoring station report of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which measures and evaluates air pollution levels in different cities.

A research officer at the environmental protection department in Rawalpindi, Muhammad Amin said escalating pollution levels had contributed to the decline in the pollution level. “We have initiated daily monitoring of environmental pollution across Punjab,” he said.

Areas with higher air pollution will be closely monitored, and citizens have been strongly advised to wear masks whenever they step outside, he added.

Lahore's National Hockey Stadium recorded an air quality index of 103, sliding from satisfactory to a normal moderate level. Moreover, Punjab University in Lahore had AQI levels of 89, the Lahore-Faisalabad Bypass had 71, and Islamabad reported 75 on the AQI.

Air pollution has been on a continuous rise, according to the EPA's monitoring stations. To understand the severity, an air index of up to 50 is considered good, 100 is satisfactory, 150 is normal, 200 is hazardous to health, 300 is extremely hazardous, 400 is dangerous, and 500 is extremely dangerous.

The provincial environment protection department said it had taken measures to address the potential smog threat by initiating regular monitoring of air pollution levels. Despite the ongoing monsoon season, the air quality has shifted from excellent to good and satisfactory, raising an alarm in major cities of Punjab.

The director general of the environment department said he had ordered an increase in checks to control smoke emissions from brick kilns, stone crusher machines, factories, crop burning, tyre incineration and vehicles.

As a result, during the first four days of August, eight kilns, three stone crushing machines, 13 factories, four tyre incinerators, seven crop and waste incinerators, and 28 smoke-emitting vehicles have been penalised.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2023.