Impacts of air pollution on human health in Lahore city,Pakistan: a review

Abstract

An alarming global environmental disaster that harms public health is air
pollution. Given that an adult breathes in between 10-15 m3
of air each day on
average, it is clear that inhalation is the primary way that humans are exposed to
airborne pollutants. Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city, is the most polluted
metropolis in the country and is increasing at a pace of 4% yearly. Pakistan is
thought to be the fastest urbanizing country in South Asia. Haze frequently affects
urban areas in Asia, and Lahore is a rapidly growing metropolis. This review
focused on examining and comparing Lahore's air quality index (AQI) values
under various sites and conditions, such as smog, traffic, industrial estates and brick kilns and their relationship to adverse effects on human health. The
provincial capital of Punjab, Lahore, has been designated as the world's most
polluted city when its AQI exceeded 400 in November, 2021. Lahore's air
pollution is caused by a variety of factors, including industrial and automobile
emissions, haze, smoke from brick kilns, burning of crop residue and other
garbage, and dust from building sites. Carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide
(NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), aerosol optical depth (AOD), methane (CH4), and
formaldehyde are the main primary and secondary air pollutants that contaminate
the air (HCHO). The signs and symptoms of air pollution are moderate cough,
persistent cough, dyspnea, eye problems, low-grade fever, pulmonary diseases,
peribronchial shadows and lung fibrosis. Living in an environment with high
amounts of pollution may make a person more vulnerable, making it more
probable that infectious agents will cause long-lasting respiratory issues. The
following suggestions should be implemented in order to improve the air quality
in Lahore. The transition to electric vehicles for all public transportation must be
gradual. All automobiles must be able to use catalytic converters, and affordable
substitutes must be created. It is necessary to avoid these backups, which can be
done by offering alternate pathways. Despite having the most LTVs (light
transport vehicles), Ferozepur Road was the cleanest. Priority must be given to
implementing a frequent and ongoing MOT check system for HTVs (heavy
transport vehicles). It is necessary to implement restrictions on the import and use of such fuel. Industrial estates must be relocated outside of the city since they
cause a high concentration of pollutants, endangering human life. Local
governments must urge businesses to employ the appropriate scrubbers or other
smog-control tools.