Schools close in Lahore as pollution hits record level
Schools close in Lahore as pollution hits record level
The Facts
Due to record high air pollution, touching 1900 in the air quality index (AQI), Pakistan's second-largest city, Lahore, closed its elementary schools for a week and issued work-from-home mandates.
Lahore made the list of the world's most polluted cities for the second time on Sunday. The city's "green lockdown" policy involved banning engine-powered rickshaws and sellers using unfiltered grills.
The Spin
Thick, toxic smog has engulfed Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city, for over a week, reaching record pollution levels over the weekend that were up to 15 times higher than what is deemed healthy. Industrial emissions, and from trucks and cars trapped over the city by the cold winter air, have worsened the already poor air quality. This dire situation has forced authorities to take drastic measures, such as closing schools and requiring people to work from home. The severity of the problem has led to discussions of "smog diplomacy" between Pakistan and India.
Authorities in Lahore are addressing the pollution problem by ordering face masks for all 14M residents. The WHO warns that prolonged exposure to PM 2.5 can lead to serious health issues, including strokes, heart disease, respiratory problems, and lung cancer. Toxic smog levels affect approximately 600M people in South Asia, and poor air quality is accountable for 50% of all childhood pneumonia fatalities. Solving this serious problem is imperative.