Air Pollution and its Impact on Children

Abstract

Pakistan ranks among the most polluted country in the world. Major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar record high Air Quality Index (AQI) level above 300-400.¹ In Punjab smog episodes have reached AQI over 700 in some cities. Smog, industrial emission, brick kilns, burning of crops residues and fossil fuels, indoor air pollution, mining operations are to name few of the causes of air pollution. In Karachi, the biggest metropolis with the population of over 30 million, not only smog but carbon emission from vehicles and factories, construction dust, garbage burning, indoor air pollution resulted in rise in AQI to a dangerous level. The high wind (02 miles/ hour) traps pollution near the ground during night and early morning, this together with rapid drop in temperature and rising humidity prevent pollutants from dispersing upwards.² 

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