If you’re in Lahore you’re probably breathing it right now. Once called “the city of gardens”, Lahore is now a sight out of an apocalyptic nightmare where smog covers everything and the citizens go about their day breathing in the toxic air that will affect them for years to come.
The city’s Air Quality Index rose to about 370 these past few days, crossing 400 in some areas. An AQI over 300 is considered hazardous, for comparison, its equivalent to smoking about 40 cigarettes per day. The pollution has been a result of years of ignorance on part of the government and inhabitants. Smoke from brick kilns, burning of crop, and a large number of vehicles on roads are all factors that have contributed to what the city has become.
Health issues like asthma, lung damage, bronchial infections and heart problems etc. are all long term side effects of what children and adults in Lahore are breathing in at the moment. I shudder to think what will become of us if the problem isn’t addressed. If you need more proof that the air in Lahore might be killing its people, Amnesty International published an article today stating that Pakistans’ air quality is violating the human rights to life and health.
While we wait for the government to declare a health emergency in the city, there are two things you can immediately do to take preventive action:
- Buy anti-pollution masks. These are available at miniso and are ought to be worn outside at all times.
- If possible, install air purifiers in the rooms that are more used. (These will be slightly more expensive to acquire)
As for those who will not be able to take any of these preventive measures, the common man who will at the end of the day be affected the most, one can only hope that the city itself will wake up and demand some action; alas, the phrase Zinda Dilan-e-Lahore has never felt more ironic.
Image Source: www.zameen.com/news
