Breathing Toxic Air: Smog In Lahore
Air pollution has brought Pakistan’s second-largest city Lahore to a standstill with authorities forced to impose emergency measures. The air quality index has skyrocketed reaching levels above 1,000 in multiple areas and even hitting an alarming 1900 in some spots. In response, authorities have ordered all primary schools to close. The government has also directed public and private officers to adopt the work-from-home policy and halted Construction in high-pollution areas to curb emissions. A thick layer of smoke has blanketed the city of 14 million people. The air contains a dangerous mix of pollutants from low-grade diesel exhaust, smoke from seasonal agriculture burning, and cooler winter air trapping pollutants close to the ground.
The visibility in toxic air is low and affects the eyes of motorbike travelers, who have been complaining about constant choking and itching of their eyes in the current condition. Health experts warn of the dire consequences of breathing this toxic air which The WHO ( World Health Organization ) links to serious health issues like Strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory illness. With no solution in sight, Lahore residents are bracing for further disruption and a difficult road ahead as the city battles this environmental crisis.
Air Quality Index In Lahore
The Air Quality Index ranged from 500-1200AQI in the first week of November with higher numbers in congested areas compared to side areas of the metropolitan. Air Index above 150AQI is considered unhealthy while the air index of Lahore broke barriers of polluted air index ever recorded pushing the index to over 1500 in some areas. The quality of air is far beyond dangerous and unbreathable with a serious impact on the public’s health.
Causes Of Smog
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, and nitrogen oxides mixed with air particles form smog. VOCs are compounds that easily become vapors and may contain elements, such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, and sulfur. Some are naturally produced by plants and animals, but others come from manmade sources, like solvents, paints, glues, and petroleum. Meanwhile, the incomplete combustion of gas in motor vehicles releases nitrogen oxide.
That’s what gives this type of smog its yellowish color. VOCs and nitrogen oxide react with sunlight to produce secondary pollutants called PANs and tropospheric, or ground-level, ozone. PANs and ozone cause eye irritation and damage lung tissue. Both are key ingredients in photochemical smog.
Since the activities that emit such chemicals are not regularized like there is no regulation on vehicle checks or the construction machinery and smoke from industries left unchecked without any procedure and protocol being followed the condition has deteriorated to this extent.
Smog in Lahore has been common yet authorities failed to implement a decisive action plan to curb the problem of smog in Lahore. Major construction projects overlooking environmental hazards have equally contributed to worsening the situation. The City is surrounded by private housing societies instead of green areas. A city where automobiles and industrial smoke are left unchecked has never bothered about how rapid construction works that too with outdated machinery would impact the deteriorating situation.
Another reason for the growing smog condition is blamed on the burning of agri waste especially in this season when the weather is suitable for smog formation. Farming of wheat is common in the outskirts of Lahore and when farmers burn the agri waste in huge numbers the pollutants are released trapped in the air exaggerating the atmospheric condition.
The Impacts Of Smog
Smog isn’t just an aesthetic eyesore. Both forms of smog irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, exacerbate conditions like asthma and emphysema, and increase the risk of respiratory infections like bronchitis. Smog can be especially harmful to young children and older people and exposure in pregnant women has been linked to low birth weight and potential birth defects.
Secondary pollutants found in photochemical smog can damage and weaken crops and decrease yield, making them more susceptible to insects. People with respiratory diseases are at great risk of serious impacts that could be life-threatening for them.