Lahore tops Punjab's pollution charts

LAHORE:

The provincial capital recorded the highest air quality index among the cities listed on the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency dashboard on Sunday with high readings at some monitoring stations.

Lahore recorded an AQI of 185 at 11:00am compared with 168 in Okara, 167 in Faisalabad, 166 in Pakpattan and 163 in Multan. The readings placed several cities in the category of unhealthy air for sensitive groups, according to the agency's classification.

In Lahore, Shahdara recorded an AQI of 500, in the hazardous category, Kahna Nau 200,Barki Road 197, Multan Road 188, DHA Phase 6 168 and Safari Park 152.

The variation indicated high pollution near affected roads or industrial areas.

The readings came as the province prepares for the autumn and winter period when atmospheric conditions favour accumulation of pollutants near the ground.

Vehicle and industrial emissions, brick kilns, construction dust and agricultural residue burning are among the sources of air pollution.

The health implications are especially important for children, older people and residents with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

An environmentalist, Saima Zia, said the government was striving to curb pollution in Lahore but small factories were affecting the air quality.