Increased traffic in capital adding to air pollution: Pak-EPA

News Desk

Islamabad:The air quality of the federal capital deteriorated significantly on Tuesday as a surge in traffic linked to political gatherings led to increased levels of air pollutants across Islamabad.

Data collected by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) showed that pollution levels remained above the permissible limits set under the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) during all three monitoring intervals over a 24-hour period.

The most concerning pollutant was particulate matter (PM2.5), a fine airborne particle considered harmful to human health. The average concentration of PM2.5 was recorded at 50.81 microgrammes per cubic metre, exceeding the NEQS limit of 35 microgrammes per cubic metre.

Officials said the elevated PM2.5 levels indicated unhealthy air conditions, particularly for vulnerable groups including children, elderly citizens, and people suffering from respiratory, heart or lung-related illnesses.

PM2.5 is mainly produced by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, burning of waste and other materials, as well as dust particles lifted by fast-moving traffic on unpaved road sections.

A Pak-EPA official said air quality had remained within safer limits before the recent increase, with PM2.5 levels recorded at 27.5 microgrammes per cubic metre on March 27. The improvement was attributed to reduced traffic movement during four-day public and local holidays in Islamabad and Rawalpindi due to the OIC meeting and Pakistan Day Parade.

However, the official said pollution levels rose sharply after a large number of vehicles entered the capital following political rallies and gatherings involving participants from Islamabad’s surrounding areas and other provinces.

Meanwhile, levels of other major pollutants remained within safe limits. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was recorded at 15.73 microgrammes per cubic metre against the permissible limit of 80, while sulphur dioxide (SO2) stood at 34.72 microgrammes per cubic metre compared with the limit of 120.

Officials said these pollutants are largely linked to industrial emissions, which remained under control during the monitoring period.

The Pak-EPA advised citizens, especially those with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure during unhealthy air conditions and recommended using face masks and protective eyewear when going outside.