ISLAMABAD: Increasing air pollution in Pakistan may shorten life expectancy by four years but it may cut life span by seven years in the country’s most polluted regions like Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Peshawar, according to a report published by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC) in its latest Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) on Tuesday.
According to AQLI — a pollution index that translates particulate air pollution into its impact on life expectancy — particulate pollution is the second greatest threat to human health in Pakistan (behind cardiovascular diseases), reducing 3.9 years of life on average.
Air pollution remains a pressing global concern, with far-reaching consequences on public health and well-being. Pakistan, a nation grappling with air quality challenges, faces the urgent need to address its escalating particulate pollution levels. A recent study sheds light on the extent of this issue and its direct impact on life expectancy, urging authorities to take swift action.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic meter for the average annual concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that poses significant health risks when inhaled. If Pakistan were to align with this guideline, the average citizen could potentially gain an impressive 3.9 years of life expectancy. This striking figure underscores the magnitude of the issue and the potential rewards of rectifying it.
In stark contrast, other factors like child and maternal malnutrition, alongside maternal and neonatal disorders, contribute to a reduction of 2.7 years in average life expectancy. While these factors have a notable impact, the toll exacted by air pollution on longevity is significantly more substantial.
Tragically, Pakistan’s entire population of 240 million resides in regions where the annual average particulate pollution level surpasses the WHO’s recommended limit. A staggering 98.3% of the nation’s populace resides in areas that exceed even Pakistan’s own national air quality standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter. These statistics paint a distressing picture of the extent of exposure to harmful particulates.
Between 1998 and 2021, Pakistan experienced a disheartening 49.9% increase in average annual particulate pollution, resulting in a reduction of 1.5 years in life expectancy. This trend is particularly pronounced in the provinces of Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which are among the most polluted regions in the country. Approximately 65.5 million residents, equivalent to 69.5% of Pakistan’s population, stand to lose between 3.7 and 4.6 years of life expectancy compared to the WHO guideline. Furthermore, they could lose between 2.7 and 3.6 years relative to the national standard if pollution levels persist as they are.
The situation becomes more alarming when considering specific cities. Should Pakistan successfully adhere to the WHO guideline, Karachi residents could gain 2.7 years of life expectancy, while Lahore residents could potentially add an impressive 7.5 years to their lives. Similarly, inhabitants of Islamabad stand to gain around 4.5 years of life expectancy. These figures underscore the transformative potential of improving air quality on a city-wide scale.
It’s important to note that the issue of air pollution is not confined to national boundaries. The report also highlights the global nature of the problem. India is identified as responsible for a significant 59% of the world’s increase in pollution since 2013, emphasizing the interconnectedness of air quality and its implications for humanity at large.
