LAHORE: Lahore topped IQAir’s ranking of the world’s most polluted major cities on Friday morning, with its air quality index (AQI) reaching 344.
Doctors advised residents to wear masks as the city’s air fell into the hazardous category. Pollution varied sharply across Lahore.
Iqbal Town recorded the highest reading at 535, while Airwash on Bedian Road reached 497. Kahna registered an AQI of 446, and Defence Phase 5 reached 360. Model Town stood at 350, while Barki Road recorded 253.
IQAir identified fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, as Lahore’s main pollutant. It put the concentration at 57 times the World Health Organization’s annual guideline.
Read: Punjab Air Pollution: Lahore Among World’s Most Polluted Cities
Delhi ranked second among major cities with an AQI of 244. Dakar followed at 184, while Mumbai and Kolkata recorded 179 and 172 respectively.
Read: Punjab Govt Clarifies Lahore Air Quality Data After Technical Glitch
Cooler seasonal conditions can trap pollution close to the ground. The report identifies traffic emissions, industrial fumes, construction dust and crop-residue smoke as contributors to the region’s smog.
Lahore topped IQAir’s global major-city pollution ranking at around 8am on Friday with an AQI of 344, while Iqbal Town recorded 535.
