‘Air pollution could reduce Pakistanis’ average lifespan by up to seven years’

ISLAMABAD: The impact of air pollution in Pakistan extends beyond immediate health concerns, potentially leading to a decline in the average lifespan of residents by as much as seven years.

A recent report from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) warns that the escalating rate of air pollution over the past years could have significant implications for public health in the country.

The report highlights that the most severely affected individuals are those residing in regions including Lahore, Sheikhupura and Kasur, where air pollution is at its highest.

“Pakistan’s population of 240 million is particularly vulnerable due to consistently high levels of annual particulate pollution, exceeding the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO),” the report said.

A staggering 98.3% of Pakistanis live in areas where the air quality surpasses the hazardous threshold of 15 micrograms per cubic meter. The worst-affected regions include Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, encompassing a population of 65.5 million, whose life expectancy may be reduced by 3.7 to 4.6 years according to WHO standards.

Leading environmental experts like Dr Arifah Tahir, Chairperson of the Environmental Sciences Department at Lahore College for Women University, told Urdu News that the detrimental effects of air pollution have already manifested in the country. She points out that regions grappling with higher air pollution levels are witnessing further deterioration, potentially leading to a decrease in life expectancy.

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Dr Shafique Kamboh, affiliated with Punjab University and a specialist in environmental communication, underscores the lack of political will and public awareness surrounding air pollution and environmental changes in the country. He stresses that the situation demands immediate attention and a proactive approach to controlling pollution.

The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) data shows that Pakistan has experienced a 49.9% increase in annual particulate pollution from 1998 to 2021, resulting in a significant reduction in the expected average lifespan by 1.5 years. If pollution levels remain constant, life expectancy could be curtailed by 2.7 to 3.6 years.

Dr Kamboh adds that the consequences extend beyond lifespan reduction, with a rise in health issues affecting a broad spectrum of the population. Women, in particular, bear the brunt of air pollution’s impact, as it exacerbates pregnancy complications and maternal health problems.

The report recommends adhering to WHO guidelines for substantial improvements in life expectancy. Implementing these guidelines could potentially increase life expectancy in Karachi residents by 2.7 years, while citizens of Lahore and Islamabad could experience increases of 7.5 and 4.5 years, respectively.

Despite the alarming findings, Dr Kamboh and Dr Tahir lament that these scientific insights often fail to reach the public or influence government policies. They attribute this to a lack of media interest and political apathy toward environmental issues.