Pakistan ranks among the top five most polluted countries globally, with air quality far below WHO standards due to high PM2.5 levels. The recent termination of the US air quality monitoring program exacerbates the challenges faced in tackling air pollution. Climate change further complicates the situation, necessitating urgent improvements in pollution control and monitoring efforts.
Pakistan has been identified as one of the most severely affected countries by air pollution, according to recent data. Its air quality consistently falls below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended standards, with excessive levels of hazardous particulate matter (PM2.5), greatly surpassing safe limits.
In 2024, Pakistan ranked among the top five polluted nations worldwide, alongside Chad, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India. The average PM2.5 concentration significantly exceeded the WHO’s safe limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter, a standard only met by 17% of cities globally last year.
The ongoing smog crisis poses major health risks and hampers the country’s air quality improvement efforts, particularly in urban areas like Lahore and Karachi. The situation worsens during winter months due to the combination of fog and industrial emissions, leading to intensified pollution levels.
The dependency on external air quality monitoring has emerged as a critical challenge for Pakistan. Previously, the US State Department’s air quality sensors at diplomatic facilities provided essential real-time pollution data. However, the program’s recent termination due to budget constraints has left the country vulnerable to data gaps, complicating future pollution mitigation efforts.
Christi Chester-Schroeder, an air quality science manager at IQAir, underscored the consequences of losing these monitoring stations, which were often the only reliable source of real-time air quality data in regions like Pakistan. “The loss of these monitoring stations is a major blow to efforts in regions where pollution data is sparse,” she noted.
Global increases in pollution levels are exacerbated by climate change, leading to longer and more severe forest fires, particularly in South East Asia and South America, thereby further degrading air quality. The cessation of the US air quality monitoring program is expected to impact at least 34 countries, with Pakistan among those losing access to crucial pollution data.
Christa Hasenkopf, director of the Clean Air Program at the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, described the program’s discontinuation as a significant setback for worldwide air quality initiatives. “It’s a giant blow to air quality efforts worldwide,” she remarked.
As climate change contributes to escalating pollution and the loss of essential monitoring tools persists, Pakistan’s battle against its smog crisis is becoming increasingly challenging. Urgent action is needed for reliable air quality data and effective pollution control measures.
In conclusion, Pakistan remains one of the countries severely impacted by air pollution, significantly lagging behind WHO standards. The termination of the US air quality monitoring program presents a major challenge, diminishing access to essential pollution data. Climate change continues to exacerbate the situation, underscoring the urgent need for improved air quality management and the establishment of reliable pollution monitoring methods.
Original Source: tribune.com.pk
