Pakistan’s cultural capital Lahore registers unwanted world record on second consecutive day

Lahore has again topped the list of the most polluted cities in the world on Wednesday for the second consecutive day.

The cultural capital of the country has an even higher air quality index (AQI) today than yesterday as the smog situation worsens.

The latest IQAir data showed that the city’s air quality dropped to 503 on the US AQI.

The provincial capital’s atmosphere has become hazardous to health after the AQI crosses the 300 mark.

It should be noted that An AQI of 0-5 is considered good, 51-100 is considered moderate, 101-150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 is simply unhealthy, 201 – 300 is very unhealthy, while more than 301 degrees indicates “hazardous”.

IQAir measures air quality levels based on the concentration of lung-damaging airborne particles known as PM2.5 — and this is 55.6 times more than the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guideline value in Lahore.

On the other hand, Indian capital New Delhi retained its position as the second most polluted city in the world with an AQI of 366.

Karachi has been ranked as the third most polluted city in the world today with the AQI is 166.

Health experts have issued an advise to those having respiratory issues such as asthma and dust allergies to adopt extreme caution to stay safe from the air pollution.

Due to existing situation, the Punjab Environmental Projection Department has issued separate guidelines for schools and other sectors.