Air Pollution Reduces Life Expectancy By 4 Yrs

News Desk

Islamabad: The average life expectancy of citizens is decreasing by 4 years due to an increase in air pollution in Pakistan, according to the recent report of the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI).

The annual report of the University of Chicago Energy Policy Institute states that the life expectancy of people living in cities like Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Peshawar may be reduced by 4 years.

According to the index, air pollution is the second-most important health threat in Pakistan but primarily heart disease is the highest risk factor.

The report predicts that an increase in pollution may also lead to a number of mental health disorders, including chronic anxiety, seasonal depression and mood sicknesses.

Globally, South Asia faces the most serious consequences, with the highest levels of pollution in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan which contain about 25 per cent of the world’s population.

The report classifies Bangladesh as top polluted country and New Delhi emerges as ‘most polluted megacity’.

NEW: Our 2023 #AQLIReport finds #AirPollution (PM2.5) is reducing the average person’s life expectancy by 2.3 years—or a combined 17.8 billion life-years lost worldwide. Learn more:

— Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) (@UChiAir) August 29, 2023

AQLI report stated that the entire 22-crore population of Pakistan lives in regions where the annual average of air pollution exceeds the limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

These standards suggest that the annual average level of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 should be less than five micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) and that the 24-hour average exposure should not exceed 15 µg/m3.

About 98.3 per cent of the country’s population lives in areas where the annual average air pollution exceeds the national air quality standards of Pakistan and air pollution guidelines set by the WHO.

The average life expectancy of people living in Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is likely to decrease by about 3.7 to 4.6 years if the current level of pollution continues.

In addition, annual average particulate pollution in Pakistan has increased by 49.9 per cent from 1998 to 2021, resulting in a 1.5-year reduction in the average age of citizens.

The report explained that if Pakistan followed the recommendations set by the WHO, the life expectancy of the citizens of Karachi could potentially increase by 3 years, as could the life expectancy of the residents of Lahore by 8 years, and the life expectancy of people living in Islamabad by about 5 years.