40-50% of vehicles contribute to fog and smog in Punjab

WEB DESK: Health experts emphasised on Tuesday that the implementation of cutting-edge traffic management, featuring smart vehicles and uninterrupted traffic flow in Punjab cities, holds the key to controlling smog and fog.

Public health studies indicate that individuals residing in close proximity to roads face heightened exposure to hazardous levels of air pollution.

Dr Capt R Arshad Humayun, a general physician, conveyed serious apprehension regarding the escalating ‘vehicle population’ in Lahore and across Punjab.

He highlighted reports indicating that 40 to 50 per cent of vehicles contribute significantly to smog and fog, representing a substantial and alarming percentage.

Dr Humayun elucidated that smog in Punjab gives rise to a spectrum of health issues, including respiratory, cardiac, pulmonary, ocular, and dermatological conditions, thereby adversely impacting the lives of the affected individuals and their families.

Attributing the cause of smog to a combination of smoke (air pollution) and fog, Dr Humayun pointed out that air pollution particles attach to fog water, creating a doubly detrimental effect.

While acknowledging transport as the primary source of air pollution, he underscored that industrial pollution in the Lahore region is also a considerable concern.

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Proposing a potential solution, he recommended the prohibition of locally produced high-sulphur gasoline and diesel in pollution-sensitive areas of central Punjab, along with a comprehensive shift towards smart vehicles throughout Punjab cities.

Dr Humayun asserted that introducing cleaner vehicles on the roads could significantly mitigate both air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

He noted that such measures could prevent numerous premature deaths annually, curtail approximately 70 per cent of the region’s traffic-related greenhouse gas emissions, and result in substantial social benefits amounting to billions of dollars.

In addressing immediate preventive measures, Dr Humayun advocated the use of face masks, increased water intake, and staying indoors to avert hospitalisation due to respiratory ailments, eye infections, and skin diseases.

Additionally, he highlighted the burning of crop residue at the onset of the winter wheat-planting season as another significant contributor to pollution, urging attention to this issue.

Approximately a week ago, Sector-I, Beat-18, of Motorway M-4 was temporarily closed to all traffic owing to dense fog in the area.

Last year, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) had to intermittently close various segments of Highway M2 due to reduced visibility caused by dense fog.

Additionally, when fog intensifies in Lahore, the Ring Road is also closed as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents.

The closures of both the motorway and the ring road are announced in advance to avert accidents.

Given the high speeds of traffic on these highways and the potential for low visibility or increased fog, such conditions could lead to serious and potentially fatal accidents.

What’s the difference between smog and fog?

The primary contrast between fog and smog lies in:

Cause: Fog results from water droplets, while smog comprises smoke and particulate matter.

Effects: Fog may obscure distant objects but is generally not harmful to health. In contrast, prolonged exposure to smog can lead to chronic conditions such as asthma or lung problems.

Appearance: Fog appears white, whereas smog typically has a darker hue that may vary based on specific pollutants. The color difference aids in easier differentiation between them.