Air pollution in Islamabad
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The increase in air pollution in Islamabad is attributed to various factors, including dry weather, increased vehicular emissions and human activities. The onset of the winter season often leads to the formation of dust in the atmosphere, which increases the level of pollution. The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has noted that the air pollution ratio recorded during certain periods was higher than the permissible limit. Hazardous air pollution particles of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), a deadly environmental pollutant, have been recorded at levels higher than the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.[1][2]
Health impact
Due to the increase in air pollution, respiratory diseases have increased among the residents of Islamabad. Dry and cold air, the main causes of respiratory diseases in winter, causes disruption of the lining of the respiratory tract], leading to infection and damage to the normal secretions inside the respiratory organs. An increase in cases of respiratory complications and people experiencing difficulty breathing has been reported.[1][2]