'Targeted policies key to tackling air pollution'

A recent study conducted by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) — Air Pollution's Deadly Impact on Health in Pakistan: A Deep Dive into PM2.5 Levels in Peshawar and Islamabad — reveals that only through targeted policies, robust data collection, and public health initiatives can Pakistan hope to reduce the burden of air pollution and safeguard the health of its citizens.

A comprehensive study led by Dr Razia Safdar, the Senior Policy Advisor at the Centre for Health Policy & Innovation, has quantified the health impacts of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on the residents of these cities.

Air pollution is taking a heavy toll on public health in Pakistan, new research shows alarming health risks in the country's two major urban centres, Islamabad and Peshawar.

The findings from this study, which utilised the WHO's AirQ+ tool to estimate health endpoints, highlight the stark reality of air pollution's impact on life expectancy, mortality rates, and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

"PM2.5, airborne particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, are the most hazardous form of air pollution due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing severe health issues," the report said.

In Pakistan, which ranks among the top five countries with the worst air quality, cities like Peshawar and Islamabad are experiencing significant public health risks. The country's average Air Quality Index (AQI) in 2023 was 160, with PM2.5 levels 14.7 times higher than the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended limits. Dr Safdar's report emphasises the urgency of addressing the critical health impacts associated with prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels.

According to the study, air pollution in Pakistan contributes to approximately 256,000 premature deaths annually and reduces life expectancy by nearly four years. Among the most affected are vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing conditions like asthma and ischemic heart disease.

The research specifically focused on two of Pakistan's urban powerhouses Islamabad, the capital, and Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.