Lahore Air Pollution Worst On Earth; 4,500 Hospital Admissions In 24 Hours - 3,690 For Respiratory Issues

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The provincial metropolis continued to top the chart of world’s most polluted cities, with an overall air quality index (AQI) of 382 on Saturday. The city witnessed its first winter rain but very light in different areas bringing no significant improvement in the air quality.

The city reported a maximum of 505 AQI at 1am to 2am, while the air quality in its different areas varied. At Pakistan Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd. 459, Syed Maratib Ali Road 449, Kickstart Co-Working Spaces 441, US Consulate 424, Askri-10 398, CERP office 376, LAS 332, WWF-Pakistan 328 and Valancia Town, it was 322 at 7pm. The AQI measures the level of fine particles (PM2.5), larger particles (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and Ozone (O3) in the air.

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In the past 24 hours, 4,500 patients were reported in Lahore alone. Among them, 3,690 patients sought treatment for respiratory diseases. Additionally, there were 209 cases of asthma, 552 of heart disease, 56 of stroke, and 63 of conjunctivitis. The number of patients suffering from respiratory issues, asthma, stroke, conjunctivitis, and heart diseases continues to rise due to smog. Across the province, over 6,000 to 7,000 smog-affected patients have been confirmed.

To improve the environment and combat smog, the Punjab government has decided to focus on all public and private housing societies in the province. Furthermore, it has been decided to plant “agricultural forests” on millions of acres of unused land.

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1874383