PESHAWAR: Air pollution has led to increased hospitals visits by people in Peshawar, especially elderly and children due to asthma, chest infection and throat respiratory problems during December, says a study.

It says that particulate matter concentrations, recorded in Peshawar from Dec 1 till Dec 15, consistently exceeded national and international air quality standards. It poses serious risks to human health and environment, warranting immediate awareness campaigns along with strict emission control policies to reduce exposure, protect vulnerable populations and improve urban air quality, it adds.

Compiled by Huma Shakoor, environmental and safety officer at public sector Peshawar Institute of Cardiology (PIC), the study says that more visits have been recorded in Peshawar-based hospitals in the first half of current month due to air pollution that is directly linked to major causes of deaths from ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and lower respiratory infections.

Titled “Emission of particulate matter in Peshawar: concentration levels, health impacts, and control measures,” it says that Peshawar experiences severe air pollution during the winter season, primarily due to temperature inversion, increased vehicular emissions, brick kilns, biomass and solid waste burning, unregulated small-scale industries and construction activities.

Study terms air pollution main cause of several diseases

Ms Shakoor has cited references from Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5 Air Pollution in Peshawar to prove her point that upswing in the certain diseases is due to environmental pollution.

These sources collectively elevate ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and coarse particulate matter (PM10), which are recognised as the most harmful air pollutants for human health and the environment.

Scientific literature has consistently demonstrated that long-term exposure to PM2.5 significantly reduces life expectancy. Fine particles penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, triggering chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and vascular damage.

Global epidemiological studies indicate that populations living in highly polluted urban environments may lose 1.5 to five years of average life expectancy, depending on pollution levels and duration of exposure.

In South Asia, air pollution is now considered one of the leading preventable causes of premature mortality. Cardiovascular diseases account for the largest proportion of air pollution-related deaths, as particulate matter accelerates atherosclerosis, increases blood pressure and elevates the risk of heart attacks and sudden cardiac death.

This is of particular concern for Peshawar, where a high burden of cardiac and respiratory disease already exists, says the study.

It says that evidence also shows that air pollution levels are increasing day by day in rapidly urbanising cities like Peshawar due to continuous growth in vehicle numbers, often without emission control, on-going reliance on older, high-emission engines, expansion of brick kilns and informal industries, poor enforcement of environmental regulations and increased energy demand leading to greater fuel combustion.

Seasonal monitoring trends reveal that in winter, PM concentrations are consistently higher than summer levels, with frequent exceeding of Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) and international guidelines. Without effective control measures, continued exposure is expected to result in rising disease burden, increased hospital admissions, reduced workforce productivity and further decline in population health and life expectancy.

According to the study, the estimated ambient concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 during the first half of December 2025 has increased as compared to Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS), which also cause damage to vegetation and crops, acidic deposition, affecting soil and water bodies, long-term ecosystem imbalance. It warrants awareness and control measures including dissemination of daily AQI alerts through radio, SMS and social media as well as community education on avoiding outdoor activity during high-pollution days.

The study suggests promotion of use of mask during smog episode, strict enforcement of vehicle emission testing regulations and upgrading of brick kilns to cleaner technologies and ban on open waste and biomass burning along with expansion of air quality monitoring stations in Peshawar.

It says that people should keep windows closed during peak pollution hours, use indoor air purifiers or improved ventilation practices and wet cleaning to reduce indoor dust re-suspension.

Physicians in hospitals say that it is recurring issue but deplore that lack of interest by bureaucracy and traffic police to control city’s traffic and mushrooming of rickshaws and taxis choking the city traffic cause pollution that has adverse impact on human health.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2025