Kitchens to Bedrooms: Battle Against Household Pollution

Shazia Mehboob

Peshawar: The increasing level of household pollution, both in the form of biomass and solid waste generation, is posing serious threats to public health and the environment in Peshawar.

The air quality index (AQI) in Peshawar in the current winter season has raised the alarm by recording a dangerous stage of more than 236 pollution levels, raising the status of Peshawar to the most polluted in the country.

According to environmental experts, the major source of air pollution is vehicular emissions, followed by household pollution in the form of the burning of fossil fuels, wood, and waste for cooking at home.

A recent study by the Peshawar Clean Air Alliance (PCAA), a volunteer association of civil society individuals, found that transport is contributing 58.46 percent of air pollution, followed by household pollution, which makes up 11.66 percent, waste burning at 4.1 percent, and dust burning at 17.67 percent.The usage of wood fuel, prevalent in rural households across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, contributes significantly to air pollution, the study reveals. According to census data, around 138,000 households in Peshawar rely on wood for heating, leading to alarmingly high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air.

Measurements exceeded national and WHO air quality standards multiple times, impacting residents’ health. Dr Adil Zareef highlighted Peshawar’s alarming pollution levels, surpassing even the most polluted city in Pakistan at times, resulting in an increase in respiratory ailments and pneumonia cases.

Experts Dr Adil Zareef and Dr Asif Khan emphasize the urgent need for a comprehensive, multi-sectorial approach to tackle air pollution. They suggested establishment of environmental green police, empowering regulatory bodies to penalize offenders, and stringent measures against visibly emitting vehicles. They stress the necessity of a long-term vision beyond political cycles, involving collaboration among various stakeholders and governmental bodies.Garbage Collector App

Aside from air pollution, the city grapples with mounting solid waste issues. Fawad Prizada, an environmental activist, developed the “Kabari (Garbage Collector)” app to address this challenge.

The app offers doorstep garbage collection and proper disposal, aiming to manage the city’s daily waste generation of approximately 1,000 metric tonnes. Fawad stressed the importance of raising awareness about income generation through waste segregation and emphasizes the scalability of such initiatives.

Sajid Ali, an official from Water and Sanitation Services, highlighted the escalating solid waste generation, doubling in recent years. He urges citizen participation in resolving these issues, emphasizing responsible waste disposal practices and cooperation with public sector entities to alleviate the burden on the city.

The city’s struggle to find suitable waste disposal sites underscores the need for significant financial resources for proper waste management. Sajid Ali emphasized the crucial role of citizen responsibility in maintaining a clean and green environment, stressing that collective efforts are essential for effectively combating pollution and safeguarding public health.

Peshawar faces a pressing need for immediate action to combat air and solid waste pollution. Collaboration between government bodies, citizen participation, innovative solutions like the Kabari app, and awareness campaigns are vital in alleviating these critical environmental challenges.