Pakistan Among World’s Most Polluted Countries in Recent Years, Facing Severe Air Quality Crisis
M.Zubair Anjum:
Islamabad:Pakistan, a country located in South Asia, borders several nations like India, China, Iran, and Afghanistan, all grappling with significant pollution issues. Both India and China, two of the world’s largest economies, have cities that consistently rank among the most polluted globally, and Pakistan is no exception in this struggle.
As an ancient region with a rich cultural history, Pakistan is now an Islamic Republic with a population of around 212.2 million people, making it the 5th most populous country in the world. Unfortunately, it also faces severe environmental challenges, with alarming pollution levels.
In 2019, Pakistan recorded a PM2.5 concentration of 65.81 μg/m³, a figure that places it in the ‘unhealthy’ air quality category. To qualify for this category, pollution readings range from 55.5 to 150.4 μg/m³, and Pakistan’s 2019 figure earned it the second spot on the list of the world’s most polluted countries. PM2.5 represents particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and have severe health implications.
The larger particulate matter, PM10, while still harmful, does not pose as significant a threat as PM2.5 due to its size. However, both contribute to the overall degradation of air quality. In Pakistan’s case, PM2.5 levels are a critical factor in the calculation of its dismal air quality ratings.
Pakistan’s struggle with pollution is further highlighted by the cities of Gujranwala and Faisalabad, which ranked 3rd and 4th among the world’s most polluted cities in 2019, with PM2.5 readings of 105.3 μg/m³ and 104.6 μg/m³, respectively. These figures place these cities at the higher end of the unhealthy category, creating a hazardous environment for the population.
The health implications of such poor air quality are significant, leading to numerous respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. While these pollution levels paint a grim picture, they also underscore the urgent need for action to improve air quality across the nation.
Pakistan’s pollution levels in 2019 were nearly double that of China (which recorded 39.12 μg/m³) and indicate the country’s ongoing battle with environmental degradation. With pollution levels this high, Pakistan remains one of the most polluted nations in the world, facing severe air quality challenges that demand immediate attention.
