Is Lahore the most polluted city? In 2018, Lahore ranked 10 in IQAir AirVisual's 2018 World Air Quality Report. Overall, Pakistan air pollution caused the country to be ranked as the second most polluted in the world with an annual PM2. 5 average of 74.3 µg/m³.
The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. For example, an AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality. AQI values at or below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory.
World major city air quality ranking
| # | city | US AQI |
|---|
| 1 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 167 |
| 2 | Jakarta, Indonesia | 148 |
| 3 | Delhi, India | 139 |
| 4 | Kathmandu, Nepal | 127 |
Lahore smog: Punjab capital again ranks among top five cities with bad air quality.
Vehicular emissions the biggest culpritWhile crop burning and brick kilns are blamed for air pollution, Momin Imran Sheikh, a microclimate expert, pointed out that the main reason in cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi was emissions from vehicles.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an air pollutant that is a concern for people's health when levels in air are high. PM2.5 are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated.
Which country had the worst air quality in 2020?
| # | COUNTRY | AVG. US AQI |
|---|
| 1 | Bangladesh | 162 |
| 2 | Pakistan | 153 |
| 3 | India | 141 |
| 4 | Mongolia | 128 |
LAHORE: Once again, the provincial capital has been ranked as the most atmospherically-polluted city of the world as the US Air Quality Index (AQI) highlighted a dismal score of hovering between 387 to 470 on Friday.
Pakistan had the fifth most polluted air in the world in 2016, driven by the common culprits in much of South Asia: emissions from vehicles, industrial activity such as brick kilns, factories, and power plants, and crop burning (see Figure 1).
Air pollution is a growing environmental problem in most major cities of Pakistan. The inefficient use of energy, an increase in the number of vehicles used daily, an increase in unregulated industrial emissions and the burning of garbage and plastic have contributed the most to air pollution in urban areas.
How to Test Air Quality in the Home
- Purchase an indoor air quality monitor.
- Evaluate health symptoms.
- Monitor carbon monoxide and radon levels.
- Get an air purifier.
- Call an air quality professional.
The air in India's capital region becomes very polluted every winter. Vehicular and industrial pollutants, crop burning, and weather conditions cause the problem.
Environmental Protection Laws and Agencies in PakistanIn 1997, then-government enacted the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act to safeguard, conserve, rehabilitate and improve the environment of Pakistan through sustainable development measures and pollution control, among others.
Gas to liquids: One of the best option to tackle the air pollution is to change the fossil fuels engine to the alternative fuels. Electric and LPG option are also given but there are many other options to reduce the air pollution.
In 2019, Pakistan came in with a PM2. 5 reading of 65.81 μg/m³, not only putting it into the 'unhealthy' ratings category, which requires a reading of anywhere between 55.5 to 150.4 μg/m³ to be classed as such, but also into the 2nd place position out of most polluted countries in the world.
Ways to Reduce Air Pollution
- Riding a bike or walking instead of driving.
- Taking a bus or carpooling.
- Buying a car that has greater fuel efficiency.
- Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use.
- Using energy efficient light bulbs and appliances.
- Buying fewer things that are manufactured using fossil fuels.
Indoor air pollution is a problem in Mongolia, due to the burning of coal and biomass as fuels within homes, and improper ventilation. In the gers (traditional Mongolian dwellings), coal is the most used form of fuel, and the burning of coal and other biomass (such as wood, crop residue etc.)
The Short Answer:Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases that are suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, volcanoes and wildfires.
The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico has the
world's cleanest air according to the latest
World Air Quality Report by IQAir.
COUNTRY RANKING: Cleanest air in the world.
| Rank | Country | Ave. PM2.5 |
|---|
| 1 | Puerto Rico | 3.7 |
| 2 | New Caledonia | 3.7 |
| 3 | US Virgin Islands | 3.7 |
| 4 | Sweden | 5.0 |
10 Best Ways to Reduce Air Pollution
- Using public transports.
- Turn off the lights when not in use.
- Recycle and Reuse.
- No to plastic bags.
- Reduction of forest fires and smoking.
- Use of fans instead of Air Conditioner.
- Use filters for chimneys.
- Avoid usage of crackers.
When we breathe polluted air pollutants get into our lungs; they can enter the bloodstream and be carried to our internal organs such as the brain. This can cause severe health problems such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases and even cancer and reduces the quality and number of years of life.
This is because, as the temperature drops during the nighttime hours, the atmosphere traps car emissions, CO2, and other pollutants in the house and down near the ground – and the effect is much worse if spaces inside the home are poorly ventilated.
Indoor Pollutants and Sources
- Asbestos.
- Biological Pollutants.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Cookstoves.
- Formaldehyde/Pressed Wood Products.
- Lead (Pb)
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
- Radon (Rn)
If the air quality falls in the unhealthy or red range (151-200), the AQI recommends that people with compromised health avoid prolonged outdoor work or activity. Everyone else who is not health-compromised should limit the time they spend outdoors.
Read on for some tips on improving your indoor air quality without the use of chemicals.
- Open Your Windows. Treehugger / Sanja Kostic.
- Spruce Up Your Décor With Houseplants.
- Opt for Essential Oil Diffusers.
- Opt for Beeswax Candles.
- Take Your Shoes Off.
- Keep Your Pets Groomed.
- Run the AC.
- Clean With Non-toxic Chemicals.
