Public, private schools and offices in Lahore to remain closed thrice a week

 

Lahore: The Punjab Education Department on Wednesday announced that all public and private schools in Lahore district will remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays until further notice due to smog.

Thousands of students in Lahore have been forced to close their classes in schools and private offices due to the smog that has been blanketing the city. According to health experts, air pollution is unhealthy for the city's residents and can also kill them. This has prompted the government to close all the schools and private offices in the city thrice a week. However, the smog is expected to be cleared by the end of the year.

In the notification issued by the Education Department, it has been stated that the decision to close the schools has been taken on the instructions of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Elahi declared the smog a disaster and imposed an environmental emergency in other cities, including Lahore.

The Chief Minister ordered the effective implementation of the plan prepared to reduce smog by banning the burning of crop residues across the province.

Despite being the second largest city in Pakistan, Lahore is the most polluted city in the country. With the increasing urbanization and deforestation, air quality has significantly affected the population's health.

According to the Energy Policy Institute, Lahore has lost 5.3 years of life because of air pollution. It is ranked the worst city in the world for air pollution. This is a shame considering that the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries have successfully enacted policies to reduce air pollution.

The study also found that people who live in smog-affected areas are more susceptible to respiratory ailments than those who do not. They are also at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Another interesting finding was that people who work in office settings are less affected by smog than those employed in an outdoor environment. However, people who work in middle age are more prone to respiratory illnesses than younger people.

Health problems caused by smog in Lahore

During the winter months, Lahore is among the most polluted cities in the world. This is due to various factors, including traffic emissions, industrial pollution, and crop burning. Smog, also known as ground-level ozone, forms when pollutants in the air combine with sunlight. This can cause health problems.

Smog is especially harmful to children and the elderly. According to the WHO, the safe limit for air quality is less than 50 mg/m3. It is also recommended that pregnant women and those with respiratory illnesses seek medical attention.

A recent study found that Lahore's annual average PM2.5 was higher than the WHO guideline value and more than 14 times higher than the National Air Quality Standard (NAQS) value. That means the smog in Lahore is much worse than in other major cities in Pakistan.

The government has banned burning crop remnants in Punjab, but the smoke is still a problem. In addition, the burning of solid waste contributes to poor air quality.

Remaining closed a week thrice

Despite Lahore's best efforts, air pollution has remained high. A thick hazy layer has obstructed motorways and is affecting the quality of life in northern Punjab. Smog is a mix of smoke from burning crops and low-grade diesel fumes.

The Punjab government has taken some critical steps to contain the smog crisis. They have notified the closure of private offices and schools. In addition, staff of the Metropolitan Corporation will be allowed to work from home.

While Lahore remains at a high level of air pollution, the city has been at the forefront of developing modern technology to clear up the smog. It is a good idea to close public spaces to reduce smog. This can also help prevent accidents on the roads.

One solution to the smog problem is to relocate factories and smaller industries. Some have suggested that small businesses should be compensated for their losses and moved elsewhere.

Getting rid of smog in Lahore

Getting rid of smog in Lahore has recently become a pressing issue. It has been causing severe discomfort to residents and causing major road closures. Pollution has also caused a rise in accidents.

As a result of air pollution, people are losing their lives and suffering from respiratory illnesses. Some studies have suggested that smog increases the risk of lung diseases such as asthma and cancer. It also harms the health of children.

To curb the pollution, the government has started issuing public health advisories on high smog days. They have also set up two centers to check commercial vehicles for compliance. The government has taken strict action against stubble-burning and smoke-emitting factories.

Smog is created when weather conditions combine to create fog. The fog combines with other sources of pollution to produce smog. This smog affects everyone, including the rich and poor. It is known to cause eye diseases, heart attacks, and metabolic disorders.