Smog update: Lahore’s toxic air posing health risk

LAHORE: Due to smog, the air quality of Lahore is hazardous to health even today (Tuesday) morning posing serious health concerns amongst the citizens.

According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), Lahore ranks third in the list of the most polluted cities, where the AQI is recorded at 306.

While, the air quality of Karachi is also extremely harmful to health today.

Karachi ranks fourth in the list of the most polluted cities as the air pollution has been recorded at 237 particulate meters.

No end to fog, smog in Punjab

Among the most polluted cities in the world, Delhi ranks first, with 383 particulate meters of air pollution recorded.

To avoid sickness caused due to pollution, experts have warned to avoid outdoor exercise in the morning.

Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has made wearing face masks mandatory in 10 districts of the province affected due to smog.

Residents of Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin, the most affected districts by smog, have been asked to wear face masks.

According to the notification, issued on behalf of the health secretary, smog posed a serious and imminent threat to public health in all age groups.

It has also been stated to keep the windows and doors of the house closed so that polluted air does not enter the house.

Earlier in the morning moderate fog was reported at M2 motorway from Islamabad to Lahore at Chakri interchange till Neela Dullah.