The torrential monsoon rains besides plummeting the scorching heat across the country has also lowered air pollution and improved air quality in Capital in particular. Since the onset of the recent monsoon spell, the air pollution in the metropolis remained low as prolonged rainy weather helped in containing air pollutants ration in the atmosphere. A daily air quality report of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak- EPA) indicated a reduced ratio of air pollutants, recorded below permissible limits, and the air quality was healthy. The Agency is responsible to ensure the protection of the environment under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997.

The hazardous air pollutant particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which was a hazardous atmospheric contaminant, remained 14.01 micro grammes per cubic meter on average which was higher than the NEQS of 35 mic-programmes per cubic meter and denoted the air quality unhealthily. PM2.5 is generated through the combustion of an engine, industrial emissions, burning garbage or inflammable material and dust blown up by fast-moving cars plying on non-cemented patches of the roads. The EPA officials claimed that the vehicular emissions due to increased automobiles was one of the leading cause of bad air quality. Industrial emissions were already subsided due to carbon-absorbing advanced technology installed at various steel manufacturing units.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)