Pakistan Ranked Third Most Polluted Country in 2024 Air Quality Report
In 2024, Pakistan was named the third most polluted country in the world, recording PM2.5 levels significantly above WHO guidelines. Despite no overall increase in air pollution from the previous year, specific cities experienced worsening conditions. The report highlights the serious health impacts of smog on the Pakistani population and the persistent pollution challenges faced by the region.
In 2024, Pakistan was ranked as the third most polluted country globally, according to the World Air Quality Report published by the Swiss air technology firm IQAir. Chad topped the list as the most polluted nation, followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India. Pakistan’s average concentration of PM2.5 particles was recorded at 73.7 micrograms per cubic meter, substantially exceeding the World Health Organization’s safe limit by nearly 15 times.
Despite the alarming levels of smog, air pollution in Pakistan did not deteriorate compared to 2023. In the Central and South Asia region, Pakistan stood second after Bangladesh, with cities like Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot identified among the 15 most polluted cities. Factors contributing to the nation’s persistent pollution include biomass burning, industrial activities, vehicular emissions, brick kilns, and construction dust.
The report noted an increase in PM2.5 pollution levels in cities like Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, while Faisalabad experienced a negligible rise. Conversely, Karachi demonstrated a decrease in PM2.5 readings from over 55 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 to approximately 46 in 2024. Additionally, five cities in Pakistan recorded pollution levels surpassing 200 microns in November.
IQAir’s analysis was based on data from over 40,000 monitoring stations across 138 countries. A separate report indicated that nearly 70% of Pakistan’s population suffers health issues due to smog. For context, Chad’s pollution was found to be 18 times higher than WHO’s safe limits, while India’s levels were 10 times above those recommended.
Byrnihat was recognized as the most polluted metropolitan area, with an average PM2.5 level of 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter, more than 25 times the WHO guideline of five micrograms. Among the world’s capitals, New Delhi ranked first in pollution, followed by N’Djamena in Chad and Dhaka, Bangladesh. Overall PM2.5 concentrations in India averaged 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter, ten times the safety threshold set by the WHO, highlighting the ongoing challenges of air quality in South Asia, with Oceania being the cleanest region in 2024.
In summary, Pakistan’s troubling air quality places it as the third most polluted country worldwide, with significant concentrations of PM2.5 particles that far exceed WHO safety limits. While pollution levels remain consistent with previous years, certain cities have experienced increases. Continuous exposure to these high levels adversely affects the health of a significant portion of the population. Urgent action is required to address the various contributing factors in order to improve air quality and safeguard public health.
Original Source: tribune.com.pk
