The major air pollutants present in the air of Lahore are: oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and respirable dust (PM2.5). Their level in the city was higher than the National Air Quality Index (AQI). According to the AQI, pollution level from 0 to 25 is considered clean, 26 to 50 moderate, 51to 100 unhealthy, 101 to 200 severe and 201to 300 hazardous.
Data collected by the Environment Protection Department (EPD) during the June clearly reflected the severity of air pollution.
On June 27, the AQI was 46 (moderate category) while, on June 25, the AQI in Gulberg area was 59(category of unhealthy). On June 23, AQI was 113 (severe category), which means that pollution levels remained higher than standard level.
On June 21, the AQI was 128 (severe category). On June 18, the AQI was 136 (severe category). On June 9 and 15, the AQI was 90 and 105 respectively and they fall under unhealthy, severe category. On June 4, the AQI was 107(severe category). On June 01, the AQI was 136, which means that pollution levels remained 36 per cent more than the national standards and health wise falls in severe category.
The recent Economic Survey of Pakistan states, “Pakistani cities are facing problems of urban congestion, deteriorating air and water quality and waste management while the rural areas are witnessing rapid deforestation, biodiversity and habitat loss, crop failure, desertification and land degradation.”
Environmental experts say that common gases emitted by vehicles include carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and ozone – all dangerous to human health beyond certain levels of concentration. They say 2.5 is the standard of particulate matter (PM) in the air but, in the federal capital, the PM level was recorded as high as 166, which falls in the category of unhealthy. Same is the case of Lahore where the PM level was also recorded as high as 160 through a mobile station at hockey stadium. According to the World Wide Fund (WWF) fact sheet, major air pollutants include: suspended particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, sulphur dioxide, lead & other heavy metals, ground level ozone and fuel wood. The sources of air pollution are motor vehicles, industry, municipal solid waste, smog and medical waste. It adds poly-aromatic hydrocarbons released by diesel-powered vehicles are known carcinogens, while smoke from diesel engines has aggravated already elevated levels of airborne soot. Nitrous oxides are emerging air pollutants with the highest concentrations recorded in Karachi, followed by Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, and Islamabad. Industries located in urban areas are the main source of sulfur dioxide (dangerous to human, animal, and plant life) while brick kilns powered by low-grade coal are notable sources of soot.
Environmental experts say that though many cities are adversely affected, air quality monitoring is restricted to six major cities i.e. Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Rawalpindi. They link the environmental degradation to poverty because of the overwhelming dependence of the poor on natural resources for their livelihoods – whether agriculture, forestry, fisheries, hunting, etc. Poverty combined with a burgeoning population and rapid urbanization is leading to intense pressures on the environment, experts maintained.
Environmentalists say that PM 2.5 is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets and made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Once inhaled, these particles can affect heart and lungs.
Following the seriousness of the issue, the Punjab Environmental Protection Department (EPD) wrote various letters to different authorities, including Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA), City District Government Lahore (CDGL), Punjab Transport Department, Planning and Development Wing Punjab, etc, to take different measures to control the rising air pollution in the city.
In its letter to the TEPA manager director, the EPD officials said, ìAfter the analyses of air quality and its reasons in different parts of Lahore, the following control measures were suggested at your end: To construct over head bridges, under passes at congested crossings. To construct proper parking areas along the roads, broadening of roads and proper stops for urban transport and Improvement in traffic engineering for smooth, uninterrupted vehicular movement may be made. Underpasses and flyovers at most busy crossings may be constructed to reduce the emission load in ambient air of Lahore.î
In the letter written to the Lahore District Coordination Officer, the EPD said the CDGL should start paving of the shoulders and plantation along the roads to ensure control in dust emission. It said burning of solid waste should be banned completely across the city and effective campaigns be carried out to stop sale and manufacturing of adulterated fuel. The EPD also asked the DCO to launch effective and challenging campaigns against excessive vehicular emissions.
The department also demanded the federal government encourage use of renewable energy sources at government level through promotion of solar energy, wind energy, water energy, etc, instead of conventional fuels. The federal government was also requested to sensitize public about health impacts of various air pollutants and their remedial measures, through various educational tools.
The department in its letter to the Punjab Transport secretary said that two stroke rickshaws and old vehicles must be replaced with four stroke rickshaws and new vehicles respectively. They said the vehicle examination system should be improved and set up on scientific basis so that every vehicle must pass emission standard criteria before coming on the road.
The department added that the traffic police should start a proper challan system in cooperation with the Punjab Environment Protection Department. It suggested that motor repair workshops having facilities of emission testing may be set up in city in large numbers.
Experts believe that if the government adopts the measures, a remarkable decrease may be witness in the air pollution levels in future.
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