Lahore Tops World's Most Polluted Cities List, Dhaka 12th With Unhealthy Air

On Friday morning, Lahore, capital of Pakistan's Punjab province, rose to the top of the list of the world's most polluted major cities. At around 8am the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 344. On the same day, Dhaka stood 12th on the list with unhealthy air.

At 9:10am on Friday, Dhaka was in 12th place on the polluted cities list with an AQI score of 153, its air considered 'unhealthy'. On Thursday morning as well, the capital had been in seventh place with an AQI of 165.

In second place on the list is India's capital New Delhi, with an AQI of 244. Among other cities, Dakar in Senegal recorded 184, India's Mumbai 179 and Kolkata 172. The air in these cities has also been classified as unhealthy.

Swiss air-quality monitoring website IQAir says the main pollutant in Lahore's air is particulate matter PM2.5, which is 57 times higher than the World Health Organization's annual guideline.

These ultra-fine particles can enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory complications, experts have warned.

Pollution levels varied across different parts of Lahore. The highest, 535 AQI, was recorded in the city's Iqbal Town. Besides, 497 was recorded at Airwash on Bedian Road, 446 in Kahna and 360 in Defence Phase 5.

Doctors have advised residents of Lahore to wear masks to protect themselves from this hazardous air pollution. Health experts believe the same caution applies to residents of other polluted cities including Dhaka.

Cold winter air traps pollutant particles close to the ground. Combined with smoke from burning crop residue, vehicle emissions, factory smoke and construction dust, the situation takes a severe form.

UNICEF has warned that polluted air puts children at serious risk of acute respiratory infections. Children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases are at greatest risk during this period.

A 2023 study found that air pollution in parts of South Asia can reduce average life expectancy by more than five years. Smog regularly disrupts life in the region through school closures, disrupted transport and pressure on public health systems.

As the winter season approaches, air pollution in South Asia's big cities tends to rise further. For Dhaka's residents, precautions are therefore becoming urgent from now on — wearing a mask when going out and reducing unnecessary time outdoors.