Air quality improves in Islamabad amid lockdown

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Environment Protection Agency has reported that air over the federal capital – Islamabad – is the cleanest in many years and the skies are blue.

According to details, particulate matter is down to 25 micrograms per cubic metre, much lower than World Health Organization (WHO) and Ambient Air Quality standards of Pak-EPA, which are 35 micrograms per cubic metre.

The closure of industries, construction, and decline in solid waste burning and lesser traffic on roads has significantly improved the quality air.

Talking to a private news channel, Pak-EPA Director-General, Farzana Altaf Shah said that the agency has recorded good quality of air and one could feel the fresher breath of air more than ever in Islamabad, adding that the report shows the major impact of human activities on climate.

She explained that emission from diesel trucks was the major contributor in air pollution – almost 43 percent, adding that the second major contributor to air pollution in Islamabad was solid waste burning, which is also on a decline.

The director-general also urged the citizens to play their roles in keeping the environment clean.

Earlier last week, the air quality index of Karachi has improved following the closure of factories and transport during the lockdown. The AQI level of Karachi dropped from 117 to 69.