In 2024, Pakistan ranked as the third most polluted country, with smog levels causing significant health issues. The IQAir report identified Chad as the most polluted, with alarming PM2.5 readings across the region. Efforts to combat pollution included school closures and lockdowns, but challenges remain as air pollution continues to pose serious health risks globally.
In 2024, Pakistan ranked as the third most polluted country, facing unprecedented levels of smog, particularly in Punjab, which led to a public health crisis. Approximately two million people sought medical attention for smog-related health issues. To combat this alarming situation, the government implemented several measures, including lockdowns and school closures.
According to the IQAir World Air Quality Report, Chad was the most polluted country, followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India. Pakistan’s average PM2.5 concentration was recorded at 73.7 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m³), significantly exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe level by nearly 15 times. Notably, despite the extreme smog, Pakistan’s pollution levels remained consistent with those from 2023.
Regionally, Pakistan ranked second in Central and South Asia, trailing Bangladesh, with cities such as Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot among the most polluted. Pollution sources in Pakistan include biomass burning, industrial activities, vehicle emissions, brick kilns, and construction dust. Cities like Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore experienced increased pollution levels compared to the previous year, while Karachi saw a decline from over 55 μg/m³ in 2023 to around 46 μg/m³ in 2024.
The report noted that during November, five Pakistani cities recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding 200 μg/m³. The findings were based on data from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations globally. A report by Ipsos indicated that approximately 70% of the Pakistani population experienced health issues due to smog.
Chad reported PM2.5 levels 18 times higher than WHO’s safe limits, while India’s levels were also concerning, being 10 times more than recommended. India harbored six of the top nine most polluted cities globally, with Byrnihat identified as the most polluted metropolitan area and New Delhi recognized as the most polluted capital.
Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, ranked third in pollution levels globally, followed by Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Islamabad. Byrnihat’s PM2.5 reading averaged 128.2 μg/m³—more than 25 times the WHO guideline. While India experienced a slight decline in overall pollution by 7% from 2023, many cities still suffered from elevated concentrations due to vehicles, agricultural burning, and industrial waste.
In contrast, Oceania emerged as the cleanest region, with 57% of cities meeting WHO PM2.5 guidelines. Europe saw Bosnia as the worst polluted country, followed by North Macedonia and Serbia. Notably, only seven countries registered below WHO guidelines, including Australia and New Zealand.
The report highlighted a positive trend with 17% of studied cities achieving WHO air quality standards in 2024, compared to only 9% in 2023. Air pollution remains a critical environmental health risk, contributing to approximately 8.1 million premature deaths globally, according to “State of Global Air 2024.”
In summary, Pakistan continues to grapple with severe air pollution, ranked third globally in 2024. The record levels of smog have sparked health crises and prompted government intervention. Meanwhile, global air quality trends indicate varying regional conditions, with significant concerns in South Asia and improvements in some regions. Notably, pollution remains a pressing public health issue worldwide, requiring continued monitoring and action.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
