LAHORE: has clinched the unenviable title of the world's most polluted city, as per the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) report released on Friday. The city's air quality recorded a staggering 305 on the AQI scale, signifying severe pollution levels.
The AQI, a widely accepted standard for measuring air quality, ranks cities based on the concentration of harmful pollutants in the atmosphere. Lahore's persistent struggle with air pollution has propelled it to the top of this disheartening list.
Meanwhile, Karachi, another major Pakistani city, also finds itself in an alarming position, securing the ninth spot among the world's most polluted cities. Karachi's air quality registered at 117 on the AQI, a level categorized as hazardous for sensitive individuals.
Surprisingly, Dubai, a city known for its modernity and skyline, landed in second place as the world's second most polluted city. The AQI reading for Dubai stood at 166, indicating that air quality concerns are not confined to a single region or country.
The Air Quality Index provides a clear framework for understanding the health risks associated with different pollution levels. According to the AQI scale, pollution levels in the range of 151 to 200 are considered harmful to health, while levels from 201 to 300 are deemed extremely harmful. Any reading exceeding 301 is indicative of hazardous pollution, emphasizing the dire need for immediate corrective measures.
These rankings serve as a stark reminder of the pressing need for environmental initiatives and policies aimed at curbing air pollution, not only in Lahore, Karachi, and Dubai but also in cities worldwide grappling with this pervasive issue.