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Air Pollution 

The term indicates the contamination of the air, involved in it the discharge of air pollutants or matters with the combination of other substances that have an adverse impact on the chemical thermal radiological properties of the air which is likely to make the air impure or noxious to the safety and health or harmful to biodiversity.

      Source: Dawn News 

Air Quality Index (AQI)   

A Measurement Unit based on the study of particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), Ozone (O₃), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions. This formula has been developed to accurately measure the level of pollution in the air of a specific area or region. There are several organizations and institutions responsible for providing transparent information about the environment to the people living in a specific locality. One such initiative is the World Air Quality Organization, which aims to promote awareness and forums in line with the goals of the World Health Organization, the United Nations Environmental Programme, and the World Meteorological Organization. These organizations constantly monitor the pollution levels and work towards creating awareness among the masses.

According to a report by Dawn, news headlines have been highlighting the poor air quality in various cities of Pakistan. Cities in the region often top the charts for the worst air quality in the world. The World Air Quality Index has revealed an alarming figure of 353- to above 400, which is hazardous and much higher than the safe limit of 50 for breathing. It is important to keep in mind that this standard quality number is considered safe for breathing and anything above it can have serious health implications.

Air quality limit according to the World Air Quality Index to the standards and precautions.

GoodModerat

Unhealthy for Sensitive  Unhealthy

   Hazardous   Very Unhealthy

AQI	Air Pollution Level	Health Implications	Cautionary Statement (for PM2.5)
0 - 50	Good	Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk	None
51 -100	Moderate	Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.	Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
101-150	Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.	Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
151-200	Unhealthy	Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects	Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor

201-300	Very Unhealthy	Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.	Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
300+	Hazardous	Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects	Everyone should avoid all outdoor exertion

    Source: World Air Quality Scale

Air pollution can take the form of smog, which is particularly hazardous to human health. The effects of smog can be severe, causing respiratory tract infections, eye infections, and asthma. Individuals with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, and children are the most vulnerable to the harmful effects of smog. Additionally, poor air quality can exacerbate cardiovascular problems.

Origin and Causes of Smog

Smog and air pollution lower visibility. The term introduced in the 1900s is often defined as a mixture of smoke and fog a toxic air haunts the particular area. Mostly the issue of industrial localities. Excessive rise in automobiles is also a major cause of it. It is usually described as the chemical reaction of the burning of fossil fuel and mining from the earth. Pakistan's economy is largely based on agriculture and industry, which has led to an increase in urbanization. Unfortunately, this has resulted in Pakistan facing the most significant challenges associated with the environment. Mainly the visibility reduced in the autumn season or at the end of the Kharif season in November and December due to the burning of the remaining crops.

   Source: Dawn News

Lahore, the hub of Punjab, is once again shrouded in heavy smog, which is taking a toll on people's health. According to a Dawn article, a specialist in environmental policy stated that stubble burning of Kharif piles in Punjab has decreased by 60% compared to the average of the past 4 to 5 years. However, the primary concern is not just the burning of the pile as it is only a temporary cause, and the air quality remains poor throughout the year. Air quality indicators are not satisfactory even then smog is not functionally visible. Vehicular emission is a major year-round, issue that must be addressed.

Environmentalist consensus in Pakistan's urban automotive fleet shows that two- and three-wheelers, make up 36-64% of emissions. These vehicles are mostly carburetted and often run on 2SC engines. High sulphur content in fuel and lube oil, poorly maintained engines that burn rich, and the lack of exhaust after-treatment systems are the main reasons for Pakistan's high vehicular emissions.

From that Punjab authorities' announcement was made to "restrict the movement"  for one or two days every weekend closure of the market and educational institutions in the divisions but it is not a systematic and effective solution to the problem.

The Provincial Government has also initiated efforts to drop simulated rain, and cloud seeding in Lahore for the air contingent.

Here are the precautions that can be taken to find the best solution:

At the state level, It is the responsibility of the government to improve infrastructure and increase coordination among various states and societal actors. However, there are challenges of Resource constraints which limit the effectiveness of field authorities  Relying on punitive and administrative measures to evaluate engine fitness or banning two-stroke engines from the road is unlikely to succeed.

Implementation of environmental policies with strong administration and the vigilante local governance apparatus that can successfully ban old vehicles and sanction polluters are some steps to control the local level pollution, impose heavy fines etc.

Promoting the use of cleaner fuels and renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower.

Always keep your vehicle in good condition and Prefer 4-stroke engine vehicles.

Limit the industrial effluents as per Punjab Environmental Quality Standards (PEQS).

Apply the 3R formula i.e. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Plant as many trees as possible.