500 hospitalised due to smog

LAHORE:

As many as 500 people fell sick due to toxic smog and have been admitted in the emergency wards of local hospitals during the last 24 hours.

The smog has become a real threat to citizens in the provincial metropolis, as the air pollution rate in the provincial capital increased to an alarming level. Lahore is once again topping the list of the world's most polluted cities.

According to the Punjab Health Department (PHD) sources, over 200 patients reached Jinnah Hospital, while 150 patients each were admitted to Mayo and Gangaram Hospitals. Prof Ashraf Zia of Jinnah Hospital told the media on Friday that symptoms of dry cough, sore throat, itchy eyes and difficulty in breathing are being reported due to smog. He added that number of patients has also increased.

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Medical experts recommended that respiratory patients should take special precautions during smog, adding they should not go out of their homes and must use masks and glasses and consume dry fruits and coffee.

Smog and air pollution are one of the main factors associated with the development of allergic respiratory disease, the experts said, adding that it has been shown to impair lung development in children and adolescents.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2023.