WHO says air pollution can trigger strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. It is particularly punishing for children and babies, and the elderly.
Lahore: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil warned of severe health risks facing around 11 million children who are currently breathing hazardous air in Punjab. "I am extremely concerned about the well-being of young children who are forced to breathe polluted, toxic air. Over 11 million children under five years of age are exposed to this smog in the worst-affected districts," he said in a statement.
The representative urged the Pakistan government to take immediate action to curb the worsening air pollution and protect these vulnerable populations. Since last month, toxic smog has enveloped Lahore, Pakistan's cultural capital, along with 17 other districts in Punjab, AP news agency reported.
“Prior to these record-breaking levels of air pollution, about 12 per cent of deaths in children under 5 in Pakistan were due to air pollution," Fadil said, adding, "the impact of this year's extraordinary smog will take time to assess, but we know that doubling and tripling the amount of pollution in the air will have devastating effects, particularly on children and pregnant women.”
Health authorities said that more than 40,000 people have sought treatment for respiratory issues. Special smog counters to triage patients have been established at clinics across the province, with 900 people admitted to hospital in Lahore alone on November 12.
Lahore – a city of 14 million people stuffed with factories on the border with India – regularly ranks among the world's most polluted cities, but it has hit record levels this month. The Punjab province has closed educational institutions and public spaces like parks and zoos until November 17.
At 6 am on November 12, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Lahore was 1045, followed by Delhi at 329, the IQAir's data showed. According to the Environmental Protection Department in Punjab, Multan remained the most polluted city on November 11, with air quality index readings of about 800. Anything over 300 is considered hazardous to health. In Multan, the AQI level passed 2,000 last week – a staggering height never seen before by incredulous residents.
