Pakistan is ranked the third most polluted country in 2024, following Chad and Bangladesh, with PM2.5 levels nearly 15 times higher than WHO guidelines. Major cities face severe pollution from various sources, and nearly 70% of the population suffers health problems due to smog. The situation remains unchanged from the previous year, highlighting the need for urgent action.
In the 2024 World Air Quality Report by IQAir, Pakistan was identified as the third most polluted country, following Chad and Bangladesh. The report highlights that Pakistan’s average PM2.5 concentration was 73.7 µg/m³, nearly 15 times the World Health Organization’s safe levels. Despite severe smog conditions, the country’s overall air quality remained unchanged from the previous year.
Within Central and South Asia, Pakistan ranked second for pollution, with cities such as Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot appearing among the region’s 15 most polluted locations. The persistent pollution stems from various sources, including biomass burning, industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and construction dust.
Reports indicate that Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore experienced rising pollution levels compared to 2023. Conversely, Karachi saw a decrease in PM2.5 levels from over 55 µg/m³ to approximately 46 µg/m³. In November, five Pakistani cities recorded pollution surpassing 200 µg/m³.
IQAir analyzed data from more than 40,000 monitoring stations across 138 regions. A separate Ipsos report indicates that nearly 70% of Pakistanis suffered health issues linked to smog. Chad had PM2.5 levels 18 times above safe limits, while India followed with levels 10 times higher, maintaining six of the world’s most polluted cities.
The report identified Byrnihat in India as the most polluted metropolitan area, with an alarming PM2.5 level of 128.2 µg/m³, over 25 times the WHO standard. New Delhi was named the most polluted capital globally, followed by N’Djamena, Chad, and Dhaka, Bangladesh. Notably, South Asia’s pollution crisis persists while Oceania remains the cleanest region in 2024.
The 2024 World Air Quality Report reveals alarming pollution levels in Pakistan, which ranks as the third most polluted country globally. Major cities suffer from high PM2.5 concentrations, significantly impacting public health. Despite some cities experiencing a decrease in pollution, the overall situation remains dire, underscoring the need for interventions to mitigate pollution sources.
Original Source: tribune.com.pk
