Now that I have successfully captured your attention with this headline, let us discuss this grave matter in full length.
Well, I for one cannot be the only person to witness this. Right!
Gone are the days when climate change was whispered behind closed doors and people showed reluctance to even acknowledge the fact that our climate is changing. I was part of the same crowd!
Fun Fact: Researchers even have a term for people who refuse to believe in climate change. They call them climate change skeptics.
But, hold on. When I decided to dig deeper into this I got to learn that Climate change is not something that is happening for the first time ever. Intrigued?!!!
Now that we have piqued your curiosity, there is more to the picture!
It is inevitable for us to advocate the right and authentic information that it is not climate change that we fear. We panic over the aggressive pace of its happening and how we, humans, are being the prime catalyst.
Our earth tends to recharge itself over the course of years when it is given proper time and patience. The glaciers melt and form the rivers subsequently the waters freeze which leads to snow falling and thus the glaciers are formed.
This is a cyclic process that is inevitable for the comprehensive habitable environment of our planet.
Therefore, climate change is something that has been going on for eons but is more in the pipeline now because of the after-effects of anthropogenic activities and of course Greta Thunberg and that speech of blah, blah, blah!
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Smog-Let Us Learn The Equation
Moving on from climate change, why do you think I have decided to raise my voice today?
This is because although this naturally okay phenomenon of Climate Change might be inevitable, one of its aspects of *cough cough* ”smog” is making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Smog as we widely understand (and are currently forced to deal with) is an unhealthy combination of fog and smoke.
This condition usually persists during hazy, cold winter mornings when the skies are laced with dew droplets i-e fog.
Here is a look at what you don’t know is releasing to the environment when you drive your high-brand cars in the town:
- NOx
- SOx
- VOCs
- CO
- Ozone
- PM
- Water vapors
These pollutants that are the main part of the smoke then interact with the fog. Fog carrying all these pollutants then interacts with the smoke and drum roll please…… the recipe of a nearly fatal haze is completed.
Smoke+Fog=Smog
Note:
It is important to note here that we should not solely blame the gases as they all are part of the main earth’s atmosphere. They are not in any shape or form toxic. Thus, don’t point your blaming finger at them.
It’s the human-induced fluctuation in their concentration that raises the toxicity bar.
Air Pollution- The Current Stats In the Country Are Dangerous
So, because I am a research student I decided to dive a little deeper into the archives and the Evidence that Pakistan is struggling to free itself from the clutches of air pollution is mounting. The results of poor air quality are leading to high morbidity as well as mortality rates in the country.
In 2018 World Air Quality Report presented some eye-opening facts in front of the world with Lahore securing the second position in the list of the World’s Polluted Cities. 2019 was the year which declared that Lahore and Karachi are the most polluted cities not only in Pakistan but also globally. The air quality index of Lahore and Karachi in 2019 was 188 and 189 respectively.
Note: The AQI levels below 100 are considered to be satisfactory. But if the AQI exceeds 100 that calls for red alarms everywhere!!!!
The air is highly unhealthy and will give rise to serious health complications especially to those who belong to sensitive groups. Such as people who are allergic to pollen, have asthma, or have other sorts of respiratory issues.
If AQI continues to soar then the situation is highly drastic and you should not under any circumstance breathe in that toxic air.
From our workplaces to transportation and even inside our houses, air pollution is one colossus that we cannot escape. WHO statistics paint a horrifying picture with environmental pollution contributing to almost 24% of the global disease burden. 36% of the disease burden affects children between the age group of newborn to 14.
In Pakistan, the situation is already drastic with every 200 deaths out of 100,000 being attributed to environmental pollutants. The World Bank estimates that air pollution accounts for 22,000 premature adult deaths in Pakistan. The Global Health Observatory evaluates that outdoor air pollution contributes to 25% of deaths and indoor pollution leads to every 30 fatalities out of 100,000.
Underlying Causes of Smog
As I have mentioned previously smog is due to the improper and incomplete breakdown of fossil fuels that are used in your vehicles. The transport sector contributes to almost 43% of the pollutants for smog formation. (Feeling responsible with 220 million others)
The breakdown of the rest is as follows
- Industrial sector-25%
- Agricultural Sector-20%
Smog In Lahore 2021- We Are Breathing Chemicals Not Air
The residents of Lahore, like me and of course you dear reader, have been witnessing some of the worst air quality indexes for the past five years.
This situation especially persists during the onset of winters and in place of the nutty aroma of crisped nuts we are left with an air that is laced with pollutants( Inserting sad emoji).
With a change in weather comes the conspicuous blanket of haze that covers us all.
The month of November marks several days which are drenched in smog. The most affected areas by this environmental pollution and smog in Lahore are:
- Model town
- Johar town
- Green town
- Defense
- Cantonment areas of Lahore
Health Complications Due to Smog
According to the figures of WHO, ambient air pollution mainly accounts for 4.2 million deaths annually. The figures are frightening as 91% of the world population call such places their home where the AQI has crossed the WHO standards.
Although there is no discrimination as both developed and developing countries face the same hazardous issues that arise due to smog, it is without any doubt the low and middle-income countries that face a stronger hit. This is because they do not have the equitable sources that can be used to mitigate the unwelcoming effects of smog.
Some of the most common issues that are a result of this blanket of haze are:
- Stroke
- Chronic pulmonary disease
- Lung cancer
- Acute respiratory infections
- Cataracts
- Eczema
- Skin diseases
- Difficulty in breathing
All of these aforementioned diseases are chronic and can prove to be fatal. The direct breathing of the pollutants that make up smog can lead to the onset of severe health complications in children as well as in adults.
The Radical Actions Of Upper Management
It would be wrong to assume that the Government is not doing anything to tackle the issue of smog.
Some of the prominent steps to mitigate this serious form of outdoor pollution are given below;
- Formation of 5 anti-squads in Lahore
- Punjab Clean Air Action Plan
- New Pakistan Clean Air Plan
- Shutting down of the Polluting Brick Kilns
Although the measures taken by the Government can be improved at present the authorities are highly involved in curbing air pollution. The brick kilns were closed in 2017-2019 to avoid the zigzag pattern of air pollution. But more innovative measures are still the need of the hour!
And if you have anything to add other than shamelessly blaming our neighbors for the Diwali celebration make sure to become a part of the PM Youth’s portal!
Your Protection Is In Your Own Hands
For all those of you who are wondering about the best preventive measures to battle out smog here are a few tips that will be of great help at a personal and communal level:
- Try to stay indoors especially during rush hours
- Remember to drink lots of water
- If you are outside, try to take breaks in the shade
- Do not engage yourself in strenuous physical activity
- Try to lower down your own carbon footprint
- Make more healthy lifestyle choices
- Adapt cycling or walking
- Remember to wear masks if you are outside for long hours.
- People who have asthma or COPD should avoid going outside as much as they can
- Remember to wash your hands and eyes frequently
- Educate yourself properly on the potential adverse effects of smog
Let’s Wrap It UP!
Smog is a serious issue that has been in the headlines since 2014. Now, it is inevitable for people to understand that this poisonous haze is highly dangerous as it causes serious health complications in people of all age groups. If you are facing any breathing issues, book an appointment with one of our specialists through Healthwire.pk.
Try to take care of yourself as much as you can because according to an Arabian proverb:
“He who has health has hope and he who has hope has everything.”
