FIGHTING SMOG IN LAHORE

Lahore’s air quality has reached a hazardous level of 708, ranking it among the world’s most polluted cities. The smog, intensified by polluted air drifting in from India, becomes trapped near the ground due to Lahore’s low-lying geography. As winter approaches, this terrain further concentrates pollution, making it difficult for the smog to disperse. Smog—a harmful blend of smoke and fog—contains toxic emissions from industrial and residential sources that pose serious risks to the environment and all living beings. Key components like tropospheric ozone, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and VOCs are highly reactive and hazardous to humans and animals.

Smog appears in two forms: sulfurous and photochemical. Lahore predominantly experiences photochemical smog, which forms when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and VOCs in the air. As a densely populated, industrialized city with heavy traffic, Lahore’s main sources of smog include vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, fossil fuel power plants, waste burning, and coal-fueled brick kilns. These sources release nitrogen oxides and VOCs, which, when exposed to sunlight, produce airborne particles and ground-level ozone, resulting in smog formation.

Smog is a serious health threat that affects humans, animals, and the environment, leading to immediate and long-term health risks. Health issues caused by smog include asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, COPD, and cardiovascular disease. It can also harm the immune system, increase the risk of pneumonia, birth defects, and even leukemia, and in severe cases, lead to early death. Addressing air pollution is essential not only for the environment but also for protecting public health and ensuring a healthier future.

From October to February, Lahore’s air quality typically worsens when farmers burn crops in the wider Punjab province, causing smog to increase. At the same time, weather changes mean pollutants remain trapped in the air for longer. The Air Quality Index (AQI) communicates air quality information to the public. This system uses numbers, colors, and words to indicate the quality of the air. AQI measures particle matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. Lahore’s main pollutant is fine particulate matter PM2.5, which irritates the lungs, nose, eyes, and throat, causing coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath.

Since 2017, smog has become a serious and persistent threat to the people of Lahore. As air pollution levels have surged to alarming heights, so have the health impacts on residents. On November 5, 2023, over 500 respiratory patients were hospitalized due to dangerously poor air quality. The situation has been particularly hard on children, with pediatric cases spiking by 50 percent last December alone. Smog is no longer just an inconvenience—it’s a public health crisis.

Health officials are urging Lahore residents to take strict precautions against smog. The elderly, children, and pregnant women are advised to stay indoors, as they are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. Those with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions should avoid outdoor activities entirely. For those who must go outside, including students and workers, wearing a mask is recommended.

Indoors, air quality can be significantly improved by using air purifiers, which are effective at removing pollutants. Purifiers equipped true HEPA filters are especially useful, capturing 99% of indoor allergens like pollen, dust, and mold to help maintain a cleaner, healthier environment. Featuring true HEPA filters, PureAir purifiers provide the highest level of air purification. They are low-cost, compact, easy to maintain, and portable. PureAir purifiers take up little space on your office desk or coffee table, where they are most effective near your breathing area.

As smog in Lahore continues to threaten lives, tackling air pollution has become urgent not only for environmental preservation but also for public health and safety.