KARACHI: Apart from being hit by the current cold wave, the woes of Karachiites increased as the air quality in the metropolis worsened, making it the world’s most polluted city on Tuesday.
According to Swiss air quality monitor IQAir, Karachi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 271, which the group described as “extremely unhealthy”.
The concentration of toxic PM2.5 pollutants — fine particulate matter so small that it can enter the bloodstream when inhaled — was measured at 162 µg/m³, 32.4 above the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. times more.
Deteriorating air quality may be a result of the city’s cold weather, as smog and air pollution problems are common during winter when low temperatures trap dust particles closer to the ground.
According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) data, the minimum temperature in Karachi was recorded at 10.5 degrees Celsius during the last 24 hours. The mercury is expected to hover between 9°C and 11°C during the next day.
The Meteorological Department has said that the maximum temperature is expected to be between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius, with a humidity level of 41 per cent, with winds blowing from the northeast at a speed of eight to 10 kmph.
However, the link between cold weather and poor air quality is not limited to Karachi as Punjab’s capital Lahore is also ranked as the fifth most polluted city with an “unhealthy” AQI of 194.
Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka (210) is second on the list, followed by China’s Wuhan (208) and India’s Delhi (204) at fourth.
Every winter, a mixture of low-level fuel emissions from factories and vehicles, compounded by farmers burning seasonal crops, parts of Punjab are trapped by cold temperatures and slow winds.
The smog situation spread to other cities of the country including Karachi.
Breathing in toxic air has devastating health consequences, with the WHO warning that long-term exposure can lead to strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.