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Prime Minister Imran Khan gave the Billion Tree Tsunami Plan and it was praised by international organizations. It was said that Pakistan is taking strong steps to tackle climate change. So why are Lahore and Karachi topping the list of the most polluted cities in the world today?
As the name implies, the air quality index means air quality. The air we breathe contains oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, as well as a certain amount of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
When a person carries oxygen inside the body and exhales, it becomes carbon dioxide. It is this carbon dioxide that plants absorb and in turn give off oxygen, and thus life goes on with the breath.
Pakistan’s Air Quality Index
With an air quality index of 287, Lahore ranks first among the most polluted cities in the world while Karachi ranks 5th in terms of air pollution. The port city’s air quality index is 153.
The other most polluted cities in the world include the Indian capital New Delhi and Hanoi, the second and third most polluted cities in the world, respectively, increasing the risk of respiratory diseases in all such cities.
Air quality index and human health
Experts say that the Air Quality Index is closely linked to our physical health and especially to lung diseases related to the respiratory system.
For example, if the air quality index is between 0 and 50, then the air is considered to be very good and healthy. If it reaches 51 to 100, the air is considered to be mild, which can lead to a small number of citizens falling ill.
Similarly, if the air quality index is between 101 and 150, it is considered unhealthy for sensitive people. However, normal people are still able to breathe in such an atmosphere and stay healthy.
Going forward, when the air quality index goes from 151 to 200, experts consider such air to be unhealthy and harmful to health, which causes cough, cold and other respiratory problems to the common people, while sensitive people are more affected.
If the index is 201 to 300, then the air experts consider the air to be very unhealthy which can make everyone sick, whereas if the air quality index is more than 300 then such air is considered toxic which harms everyone.
Reasons for the increase in air pollution
Mankind has progressed tremendously in recent centuries, and people riding horses and elephants are now seen traveling in luxury cars and airplanes. Smoke from chimneys of cars and factories causes pollution.
Chemical waste is released from factories which evaporates and enters the air. In cities like Karachi and Lahore, instead of cleaning or recycling waste, it is set on fire to produce carbon monoxide.
How to get rid of pollution?
Forests are an essential component of human life, releasing oxygen by absorbing carbon dioxide in different parts of the world and reducing air pollution.
We should plant as many trees as possible. Factories and factories should be kept away from human settlements while the problem of air pollution can be gradually overcome by using electric vehicles instead of smoke emitting motorcycles and buses.
