Severe Pollution Forces School Closures in Pakistani City: What’s Behind This Crisis?

This is a sad record achieved by the city of Lahore, in Pakistan, where 14 million souls live. Indeed, due to extreme atmospheric pollution having largely exceeded air quality thresholds, the city is forced to close schools.

A peak of pollution 40 times higher than international standards in Pakistan

Let's first look at what the air quality index is. If we refer to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, it represents “an indicator that is based on hourly air quality data. These data cover some or all of the six most common air pollutants: sulfur dioxide, ground ozone, nitrogen dioxide, total reduced sulfur compounds, carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter.”

According to the standards of the WHO, the World Health Organization, there are several categories of the air quality index:

• Between 0 and 50: the air is considered good
• Between 51 and 100: it is average
• Between 101 and 150: it is bad for some people
• Between 151 and 200: the air is bad
• Between 201 and 300: the air is very bad
• Above 300: it is dangerous

In Lahore, Pakistan, this air quality index last week rose to 1067. A catastrophic event that led to the closure of schools in the city during the week.

This Wednesday, November 6, the index took off again to 1100 before falling again, leading to a second closure of schools for an extended period until November 17.

Punjab trapped in smog

The abnormally high levels recorded in Pakistan are due to a particular phenomenon: smog.

Although from a distance it might appear to be a thick fog, it is in fact a cloud of pollution. It is mainly composed of fine particles and ozone and is mainly present above urban and industrial concentrations as recalled in the Larousse dictionary.

This thick fog in which the most populated region of Pakistan is plunged is due to several factors according to AFP:

• Low-end diesel fumes
• Smoke from agricultural burning
• Winter chill. Indeed, when temperatures drop, cold air retains emissions and fine particles on the ground more easily, thanks to its high density.

To limit its stagnation, the city of Lahore had notably banned the holding of certain construction sites, the use of certain vehicles, but also the holding of barbecues.

Catastrophic consequences for Lahore

In addition to the closure of schools caused by this environmental disaster, AFP also reports, after interviewing numerous witnesses on site, that hospitals are in tight flow and struggling to treat patients suffering the full brunt of the effects of smog.

The Pakistani government is urging the elderly and sick not to go out under any circumstances and if forced to wear a mask outside their homes. Furthermore, a recent study from the University of Chicago highlighted the fact that the smog present in this region of Pakistan could reduce the life expectancy of residents by up to seven years.

Source: La Presse