RAWALPINDI: The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in areas of Rawalpindi and Lahore has revealed that the quality of air is better in Rawalpindi than Lahore.

The latest monitoring station report of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which measures and evaluates air pollution levels in two parts of the garrison city revealed that Rawalpindi’s air quality was satisfactory as the AQI was recorded at 60 at Shamsabad and 81 at Shalley Valley near Peshawar Road.

According to a research officer of the EPA Mohammad Amin Baig, the air quality check was also carried out in Lahore, according to which the AQI of Punjab University, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, was recorded at 115 and that of Lahore Town Hall was 97.

The data has been released after 24 hours of monitoring. The areas with higher air pollution will be closely monitored and citizens have been strongly advised to wear masks whenever they step outside, he added.

Air pollution has been on a continuous rise, according to the EPA’s monitoring stations. To understand the severity, an air index of upto 50 is considered good, 100 is satisfactory, 150 is normal, 200 is hazardous to health, 300 is extremely hazardous, 400 is dangerous and 500 is extremely dangerous.

The provincial environment protection department said it had taken measures to address the potential smog threat by initiating regular monitoring of air pollution levels. Despite the ongoing monsoon season, the air quality shifted from excellent to good and eventually satisfactory, raising an alarm in major cities of Punjab.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2023