Evaluating the impact of air pollution on respiratory health in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Air pollution in Lahore, Pakistan remains an acute public health emergency. The city frequently records highly elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), reaching far above internationally recognized safety levels. Monitoring studies have shown mean PM2.5 concentrations near 262 µg/m³, with extreme peaks as high as 420 µg/m³, compared to the 15 µg/m³ guideline recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Recent reports also recorded PM2.5 values above 340 µg/m³ during severe smog episodes with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 533, classified as “hazardous”. These hazardous air quality levels cause deep penetration of fine particles into the respiratory tract, triggering inflammation, reduced lung function, exacerbation of asthma, bronchitis, and other chronic respiratory impairments. Hospital data shows dramatic increases in respiratory and allergic cases during smog peaks, with tens of thousands of patients reported in single weeks of intense pollution. This paper integrates environmental data, clinical findings, and epidemiological trends to comprehensively evaluate the respiratory health impacts of air pollution on residents of Lahore and suggests evidence-based strategies for mitigation.