Pakistan's Toxic Air Cuts Life Expectancy by Nearly 4 Years, Costs 6.5% of GDP

Pakistan

Pakistan's worsening air pollution is cutting the average Pakistani's life short by nearly four years and costing the economy dearly, according to a new national report. The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative study estimates that polluted air contributes to about 128,000 premature deaths every year, while pollution-related damage amounts to roughly 6.5 percent of the country's GDP.

The report, titled Unveiling Pakistan's Air Pollution, combines ground readings, satellite data and fuel and vehicle records across Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad-Rawalpindi and Peshawar. It points to fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, along with carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide from vehicles, industry and other sources as the main culprits.

Lahore emerges as one of the worst-hit cities. Its annual average PM2.5 level exceeds 110 micrograms per cubic metre, more than 22 times the World Health Organization's recommended limit of five. Sustained exposure at that level could cut life expectancy in Lahore by as much as seven years. The problem deepens in winter, when temperature inversions trap dirty air close to the ground and stop it from dispersing.

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