Webdesk: The University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC)’s latest Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) on Tuesday found that Pakistan’s most polluted cities like Lahore. Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Peshawar may shorten life expectancy by at least seven years.
Particulate air pollution is Pakistan’s second worst health danger lowering life expectancy by 3.9 years, according to AQLI.
The ordinary Pakistani might gain 3.9 years if the WHO limits average annual PM 2.5 concentration to 5 micrograms per cubic metre.
Child and maternal malnutrition and maternal and newborn illnesses shorten life expectancy by 2.7 years.
All of Pakistan’s 240 million people live in areas with annual average particle pollution over WHO guidelines. The survey found that 98.3% of the population lives in places with air quality above 15 micrograms per cubic metre.
The AQLI also reported that Pakistan’s average yearly particle pollution increased by 49.9% from 1998 to 2021. Reducing life expectancy by 1.5 years.
While, In Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan’s most polluted provinces, 65.5 million residents, or 69.5% of the population, are on track to lose 3.7 to 4.6 years of life expectancy on average relative to the WHO guideline and 2.7 to 3.6 years relative to the national standard if pollution levels persist, AQLI said.
Moreover, The survey stated that if Pakistan met WHO’s guidelines, Karachi residents would gain 2.7 years, Lahore residents 7.5 years, and Islamabad residents 4.5 years.
The report added that India has caused 59% of the world’s pollution growth since 2013.
