Air pollution reaches alarming levels

Over 2,900 patients with respiratory, eye-related complaints visit hospitals in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

The five major cities of Punjab, including the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, have reached dangerous and alarming levels of smog and air pollution, triggering respiratory diseases, asthma, sore throats, eye irritation, colds and coughs.

According to the outpatient departments and emergency wards of Rawalpindi's three allied hospitals, 2,961 patients suffering from diseases associated with smog and air pollution visited the hospitals during the past 48 hours.

A majority of them were elderly men and women.

According to the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department and air quality index applications, the air quality index (AQI) in Islamabad stood at 187 and in Rawalpindi at 179.

The AQI in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, reached 530, while Multan recorded an extremely alarming level of 719. Faisalabad's index stood at 371, while Gujranwala's reached the extremely dangerous range of 600 to 660. The AQI in Jhang city reached 678, while the air quality index of Murree, also known as the Queen of Hills, crossed 123.

Being industrial cities, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Jhang have recorded extremely dangerous air pollution levels. If there is no rainfall during the next three days - Saturday, Sunday and Monday - the air quality indices are likely to deteriorate further.

Lahore, Multan, Jhang and Gujranwala have been included among the world's most polluted cities. Medical experts and the health department have issued guidelines in view of the worsening smog situation, advising people to wear masks regularly.

Polluted air is proving dangerous for children and patients suffering from respiratory diseases, and they should not be allowed to go outdoors unnecessarily.

To avoid eye irritation, people have been advised to wash their eyes with clean water and use eye drops on the advice of a doctor. They should also keep doors and windows closed during the morning and evening to prevent polluted air from entering their homes.

According to the Environmental Protection Department Rawalpindi, the rising air pollution index is mainly caused by brick kilns, stone-crushing machines, smoke-emitting vehicles, the burning of crop residue, the process of extracting black oil by burning old tyres, and smoke from factories, industrial units and large bakeries. The department said smoke-emitting vehicles were among the most dangerous sources of pollution.

Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir has issued strict orders for the immediate registration of cases against those setting fire to garbage, old tyres, scrap material and crop residue.

He has also ordered the bulldozing of all brick kilns operating without environment-friendly technology.

A major crackdown against smoke-emitting vehicles, factories, industrial units and brick kilns is being launched from Saturday.