On Tuesday, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) reported healthy air quality in the federal capital, despite ongoing development projects on two major roads and recent dry weather. The agency’s daily air quality report indicated reduced air pollutant levels, thanks in part to prolonged rainy weather during the spring season. The hazardous air pollutant PM2.5 was measured at 14.46 micrograms per cubic meter on average in the last 24 hours, within the healthy range of 35 micrograms per cubic meter according to National Environmental Quality Standards. The combustion of engines, industrial emissions, burning garbage, inflammable material, and dust from non-cemented roads are the main causes of PM2.5.
Officials from the Pak-EPA revealed that vehicular emissions from an increased number of automobiles are one of the leading causes of poor air quality. They added that industrial emissions have already subsided due to carbon-absorbing advanced technology installed at various steel manufacturing units.
Dr. Zia Ul Haq, a senior pulmonologist at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), cautioned that exposure to dry and cold air could cause respiratory ailments. He advised people over the age of 50 or with chronic heart, kidney, and lung diseases to get the flu vaccine during the peak winter season to avoid respiratory illnesses. Dr. Haq also recommended that people avoid prolonged outdoor visits during mornings and evenings in the winter season and properly cover their eyes and faces when outside. He further suggested that individuals drink warm fluids, such as tea, to control damage to the respiratory tract caused by bad weather and air quality.
