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Are you worried about the thick layer of polluted air blanketing your city and the havoc it can cause on your health?
Unfortunately, the winter season in most parts of Pakistan has become synonymous with smog season. This year, the air quality in many cities reached new levels of toxicity even before the chilly weather had completely set in. Although most areas in the central and northern regions are suffering from this health hazard, things are probably at their worst in Lahore where smog has pretty much disrupted daily life.
In a bid to curb the problem of smog in Lahore, the Lahore High Court has announced a 10:00 PM curfew on shopping malls, markets, and restaurants. In addition, the schools have been closed indefinitely to protect young children from a plethora of respiratory diseases. Since smog also diminishes visibility, it increases the chances of traffic accidents and leaves the government with little option but to restrict commercial flights to avoid any mishaps.
It is also important to note that Lahore is presently among the top ten most polluted cities in the world on the Air Quality Index (AQI), with some areas recording readings of 328 and 434. To give you an idea, AQI between 151 and 200 is considered unhealthy, while readings from 201 to 300 are harmful. Meanwhile, anything over the 300 mark is extremely dangerous.
Since the AQI of Lahore is around 30 times higher than the recommended guidelines issued by the WHO, the authorities are taking several steps to improve the air quality in the city. However, until the skies become clear and the air becomes less hazardous, it is important for the masses to follow a few safety precautions to protect their health.
Though before we discuss how to stay safe from smog in Lahore, let’s briefly discuss this environmental phenomenon and its causes.
What Is Smog?
Described as a combination of smoke and fog, smog is a specific type of air pollution. It is made up of high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM), ground-level ozone (O3), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as an array of other harmful chemicals such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SOx), and carbon monoxide (CO).
Moreover, smog has an appearance of a yellow-brown haze and can leave the population of an entire city vulnerable to a host of respiratory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological dysfunctions.
What Are the Major Causes of Smog in Lahore?
Smog in Lahore has worsened in the past decade, bringing life in the vibrant city to a standstill for a significant part of the winter months. Some of the main reasons behind the decline in air quality are as follows:
- Unchecked industrial activity
- Harmful vehicle emissions
- Unsustainable population growth
- Burning coal and wood
- Unsafe agricultural practices
As one of the most rapidly expanding cities in Pakistan, Lahore is home to a multitude of industries that release pollutants into the atmosphere. In addition, the traffic problem in the metropolis is getting worse with a large number of new cars and motorcycles hitting the roads every day, increasing the emission of ozone-harming gases. These are all prominent contributors to smog in Lahore.
You can also check out our guide on smog in Pakistan for more information.
How to Stay Safe from the Smog in Lahore
Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from the effects of smog in Lahore.
Limit Outdoor Activities
One of the most effective ways to stay healthy is to reduce your exposure to air pollution in Lahore. If you like going for a walk every day or exercising outdoors, you should consider changing your routine a little and trying to spend more time indoors. You can even turn an empty room in your house into a home gym until the air quality improves.
Keeps Doors and Windows Closed
This is a rule of thumb when dealing with smog in Lahore – stay indoors and keep your windows closed. Although it may sound extreme to some, it is perhaps the easiest way to keep the indoor air free of toxins and pollutants.
Usually, the air quality is worse during the day, so you may consider opening your windows during nighttime or in the early hours of the morning for some ventilation. However, since the weather has gotten colder over the past weeks, keeping the windows and doors closed at all times may not be that much of an inconvenience.
Purify Indoor Air
The next tip to stay safe from air pollution in Lahore is to remove pollutants from the indoor air. You can start by investing in a portable air purifier that will keep your home smelling clean and fresh at all times of the day.
Moreover, you can consider adding air-purifying indoor plants to your living room, bedroom, and hallways to improve the air quality as the potted greens absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
Wear a Surgical Face Mask
The coronavirus pandemic made surgical facemasks a part of our everyday lives – and you can continue using them to protect your body from the effects of smog in Lahore. Good quality masks can keep you from inhaling hazardous pollutants and play a vital role in keeping you healthy.
Stay Hydrated
Make sure to drink plenty of water and healthy juices to cleanse your body of toxins. It is imperative to stay hydrated during winter months, especially when struggling with alarming levels of smog.
Check Daily Air-Quality Alerts
Stay abreast of the current air quality in Lahore by regularly checking the Air Quality Index or weather alerts. It will allow you to plan your outdoor activities. It will give you a fair idea of when the pollution levels are dangerously high and when it is okay to step outside with your loved ones. This tip is particularly important for those who live in high-traffic areas.
Avoid Burning Wood or Trash
You have probably seen people burning coals or wood to stay warm during the winter months. Unfortunately, these activities add to the air pollution in Lahore, thus making the situation even worse. Similarly, burning trash is environmentally irresponsible and is among the major causes of smog in the city.
Play Your Role in Improving the Air Quality in Lahore
There are quite a few ways we can help the authorities improve the air quality in Lahore. For starters, we should strive to use public transportation such as Speedo buses and Orange Line to travel to and from work instead of driving our vehicles separately. It will not only decrease gaseous emissions but also help you save money on petrol. Next, we should stop partaking in activities that may cause air pollution, such as burning firewood or using paints with VOCs.
Taking these steps will help us save the environment while also reducing the effect of smog in Lahore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about smog in Lahore.
What is smog?
Smog is a type of air pollution that typically comes from burning fossil fuels. It is composed mainly of tropospheric ozone, volatile organic compounds, pollen, dust, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and ammonia gas, among other harmful gases and fine particulate matter.
How does smog affect the environment?
Smog affects the environment by reducing visibility, blocking sunlight, and harming agriculture. It is also hazardous for wildlife and forests. In some situations, it may also cause acid rain.
Can smog cause health problems?
Yes, inhaling ozone and particle pollution can be hazardous for your health. Its short-term effects include breathing difficulties and eye irritations, whereas the long-term effects may include asthma, bronchiolitis, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, cancer, and more.
Who is the most vulnerable to smog?
Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are most likely to fall sick due to the poor air quality in Lahore.
How to combat smog in Lahore?
Stay indoors, keep your windows and doors closed, and install an air purifier in your home to combat air pollution in Lahore. Also, don’t forget to wear a surgical mask when going outdoors.
This concludes our blog on how to stay safe from smog in Lahore. You can also check out our guide on the biggest environmental problems in Pakistan and how to solve them.
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