Saba Fatima
Air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to public health globally and accounts for an estimated 7 million premature deaths every year. Air pollution and climate change are closely linked as all major pollutants have an impact on the climate and most share common sources with greenhouse gases. Improving our air quality will bring health, development, and environmental benefits. The UNEP Pollution Action Note displays the global state of air pollution, major sources, the impact on human health, and efforts to tackle this critical issue. In 2019, 99% of the world population was living in places where the WHO’s strictest 2021 air quality guideline levels were not met. The WHO termed it as a” NEW TOBACCO” With every breath we take, we suck in tiny particles that can damage our lungs, hearts, and brains and cause a host of other health problems. The most dangerous of these particles, which can include anything from soot, soil dust, to sulfates, are fine particles 2.5 microns or less in diameter —shortened as PM2.5.In 2021, in response to increases in quality and quantity of evidence of air pollution impacts, the WHO updated the PM2.5 annual mean air quality guideline to 5µg/m3, which represents clean air as few impacts have been observed below these levels. Islamabad, Rawalpindi and several other cities of Punjab are being affected by smog, or winter air pollution. The whole province is suffering due to soot, dust and industrial pollutants.Lahore is repeatedly ranked at the top of the list of the most polluted cities of the world owing to its hazardous air quality. Multiple factors such as the increase in polluted emissions, vehicle exhaust and construction dust, as well as the burning of cheaper fuels and urban and agricultural waste have aggravated the problem in recent years. . The polluted air quality has inflicted severe, long-term harm on public health, putting people at greater risk for heart and lung diseases. A long-term, sustainable solution to the winter air pollution is not simple. le. It requires a massive and decisive shift in government policies, and in the way the private sector does their business. As smog has become a regular feature of winter life in recent years, the Punjab government has taken consistent action to fight against smog. For the prevention of smog Punjab government taken a environment friendly steps. Punjab government ordered to establish “SMOG SQUAD” all over the province. On the special instructions of Chief Minister PunjabPervaizElahi, the special smog squad is doing their actions in all districts. For industries, government ordered to install air pollution controlling devices. For public transport and freightliner Vehicle fitness certificate is mandatory and also the tuning and air filtration of vehicles are mandatory. Heavy penalty will be imposed in case of violation. Punjab government is taking effected measures to fight against smog and its effects.
