Pakistan Faces Severe Air Pollution Crisis Amid Monitoring Program Cessation

Pakistan has been ranked one of the most polluted countries globally, with air quality significantly below WHO standards. The cessation of the US air quality monitoring program poses challenges in collecting pollution data, complicating efforts to address the smog crisis. Climate change further exacerbates the situation, highlighting the urgent need for reliable data and improved pollution control efforts.

Pakistan has been identified as one of the world’s most severely affected nations by air pollution, according to recent data. The country’s air quality consistently falls below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended standards, with hazardous levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) found to exceed safe limits significantly. In 2024, Pakistan was ranked among the top five polluted countries globally, alongside Chad, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India.

The average PM2.5 concentration in Pakistan alarmingly exceeded the WHO’s safe limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter, with only 17% of global cities meeting this standard last year. Major urban areas, notably Lahore and Karachi, frequently experience intense pollution, particularly during winter when fog and industrial emissions exacerbate air quality issues. This ongoing smog crisis poses serious health risks and undermines efforts to improve air quality across the nation.

Pakistan’s dependence on external monitoring for air quality data has emerged as a substantial challenge. Historically, the US State Department’s air quality sensors, located at embassy and consulate sites, played a crucial role in supplying real-time pollution data for developing nations, including Pakistan. However, this monitoring program has recently been terminated due to budget issues, leaving Pakistan at risk of insufficient pollution data necessary for effective smog mitigation strategies.

Christi Chester-Schroeder, air quality science manager at IQAir, emphasized the detrimental effect of losing these monitoring stations. She noted that in regions like Pakistan, where real-time air quality information is scarce, this loss represents a significant setback. Additionally, as global pollution escalates and climate change exacerbates conditions, higher temperatures are contributing to prolonged and severe forest fires, particularly in Southeast Asia and South America, further diminishing air quality levels worldwide.

The closure of the US air quality program will impact at least 34 countries, including Pakistan, resulting in a critical loss of reliable pollution data. Christa Hasenkopf, director of the Clean Air Program at the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, remarked that this decision represents a serious obstacle to global air quality initiatives. The combination of climate change and the loss of vital monitoring tools intensifies Pakistan’s struggle against its ongoing smog crisis, underscoring the urgent need for dependable air quality data and enhanced pollution control measures.

In conclusion, Pakistan ranks among the worst countries for air pollution, significantly exceeding WHO standards for PM2.5. Major urban centers are particularly affected during winter months, further complicating efforts to improve air quality. The cessation of monitoring programs has exacerbated the situation, leaving Pakistan without reliable data essential for combating pollution. This urgent necessity for data, alongside the challenges posed by climate change, highlights the critical need for immediate and effective environmental policies.

Original Source: tribune.com.pk