Lahore Surpasses 400 US AQI Mark, Declared World’s Most Polluted City. Lahore has officially been ranked as the world’s most polluted city, according to IQ Air data released on Tuesday. The city’s air quality has crossed the 400 US AQI mark, indicating hazardous conditions— the worst possible level.
Environmental expert Yasir Husain explained to Geo.tv that healthy air has an AQI below 50, meaning Lahore’s air is currently 80 times more polluted than what is considered safe. He noted that seasonal changes in wind patterns contribute to this issue, as winter winds shift from Pakistan to India. Key sources of pollution include agricultural waste burning, vehicle emissions, and power generation.
In winter, stagnant winds cause polluted air to linger, creating a dangerous mix of fog and toxic smog.
According to IQAir’s air quality classification, an AQI of 0-50 is “good,” 51-100 is “moderate,” 101-150 is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 151-200 is “unhealthy,” 201-300 is “very unhealthy,” and anything over 301 is deemed “hazardous.”
Following Lahore, New Delhi ranks as the second most polluted city with an AQI of 285, while Dubai’s AQI stands at 166. Karachi is ranked 13th, with an AQI of 107, putting sensitive individuals at risk.
In light of the alarming air quality, IQAir has advised Lahore residents to take precautions such as avoiding outdoor exercise, keeping doors and windows closed, wearing masks outdoors, and using air purifiers.
Despite efforts by provincial authorities to combat smog, this marks the second time in a week that Lahore has topped the list of polluted cities. Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that all necessary measures are in place to address the smog crisis, including the potential use of artificial rain, costing between Rs5 million and Rs7 million, if pollution levels rise further.
Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of improving air quality through measures against pollution sources and encouraged the public to report offending vehicles and factories via the government helpline 1373.
As cooler temperatures set in, pollution levels typically spike, with Lahore and Delhi frequently appearing at the top of global pollution rankings. The AQI in Lahore often exceeds 1000 in December, leading to crowded hospitals filled with patients suffering from respiratory issues.
A report last year highlighted that rising air pollution could reduce life expectancy by over five years per person in South Asia, a region marked by hazardous air quality.
