Pakistan: Third Most Polluted Country in 2024 Amid Record Smog Crisis

According to IQAir’s 2024 report, Pakistan is the third most polluted country, primarily due to severe smog crises in Punjab, following Chad and Bangladesh. The report highlights alarming PM2.5 levels nearly 15 times higher than WHO’s safety thresholds. Despite some improvements internationally, major cities remain severely affected by pollution, necessitating urgent governmental actions and public health considerations.

In 2024, Pakistan ranked as the third most polluted country, experiencing an alarming record smog season, with Chad leading the list, as revealed in IQAir’s annual report. Last year, Punjab faced an unprecedented smog crisis, declared a calamity, compelling nearly two million individuals to seek medical treatment. In response, the government implemented various measures, including lockdowns and school closures, to mitigate pollution.

IQAir’s 2024 World Air Quality Report indicated that Chad was the most polluted country, followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India. Pakistan’s average concentration of PM2.5 was reported at 73.7 μg/m³, nearly 15 times above the safe levels established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Remarkably, while smog intensified, Pakistan’s average pollution levels remained unchanged from 2023.

Pakistan ranked second in Central and South Asia for pollution, with Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot listed among the region’s 15 most polluted cities. The report elucidated that pollution in Pakistan stems from numerous sources, including biomass burning, industrial activities, vehicular emissions, brick kilns, and construction dust. Certain cities like Peshawar, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi saw increased pollution levels compared to 2023, while Faisalabad experienced minimal changes.

Karachi, however, saw a decline in PM2.5 levels, dropping from over 55 μg/m³ in 2023 to approximately 46 μg/m³ in 2024. During November, five Pakistani cities recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding 200 μg/m³. The report was based on data from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 138 countries.

Interestingly, an Ipsos report noted that approximately 70% of the Pakistani population suffered health problems due to smog. The PM2.5 readings from Chad were found to be 18 times higher than WHO’s safe levels, while India’s levels were 10 times more than recommended limits. Despite some improvement for India in 2024, it housed six of the world’s nine most polluted cities, with Byrnihat being the most polluted metropolitan area and New Delhi the most polluted capital.

Byrnihat, averaging PM2.5 at 128.2 μg/m³, was significantly above WHO’s recommended level. The average PM2.5 concentration in India was reported at 50.6 μg/m³, reflecting a seven percent decrease from 2023 but still indicating a significant pollution challenge due to sources including vehicles and agricultural burning. Additionally, the report highlighted that winter months typically exacerbate pollution levels in South Asia.

Oceania emerged as the cleanest region, with 57% of cities meeting WHO PM2.5 guidelines. Europe saw Bosnia ranked as the most polluted country, followed by North Macedonia and Serbia, with Novi Pazar being the most polluted city. Several nations, including Burkina Faso, Iran, and Afghanistan, were excluded from the report due to lack of data. Only seven countries achieved PM2.5 concentrations below WHO guidelines, marking a slight increase in cities meeting standards from 9% in 2023 to 17% in 2024.

Air pollution continues to pose a significant health threat globally, accounting for an estimated 8.1 million premature deaths in 2021, as reported in the “State of Global Air 2024” by the Health Effects Institute and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

The report underscores the critical air quality challenges faced by Pakistan, as it ranks third in pollution levels globally for 2024. The severe smog crisis, particularly in Punjab, led to health emergencies and prompted governmental interventions. Despite a decline in air quality in some regions, the persistent sources of pollution emphasize the need for continued efforts in addressing this significant public health concern. Additionally, regional pollution patterns in South Asia present ongoing challenges, with broader global impacts highlighted by alarming statistics on premature deaths attributed to air pollution.

Original Source: www.dawn.com