LAHORE: For Nadia Hassan, a mother of two young children living in Lahore, it’s heartbreaking to see her children suffer, and she feels helpless as a parent.
“The smog is omnipresent, seeping into our homes through even the smallest crevices, making it impossible to shield them from its harmful effects,” Nadia, who is also an IT and examinations coordinator at a school, told TheNewsToday. “Not only does it pollute the outdoor air, but it also contaminates the air inside our homes, leaving us trapped and vulnerable.”
Nadia remains deeply concerned about the alarming rise in smog levels as her kids, 7-year-old Hamza and 2-year-old Shazil, are falling ill more frequently than ever before, and their persistent coughs seem to have no end in sight.
The capital city of the Punjab Province, Lahore, has been ranked one of the worst cities for the quality of its air. What used to be known as a city of gardens is now struggling with the air they breathe in. There are many reasons why this happens. The city is overpopulated, and they have a heavy traffic problem. Vehicle emissions, waste burning, electricity generation, heating fuel, and coal burning have all been reasons as to what influences the pollution.
The eerie haze that floats over the city has become a norm in their everyday life. It has become a serious health issue because there’s been a 50% rise in pediatric patients because of their respiratory issues from all the smog that envelopes the city.
How Smog Is Formed
Smog is created when nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds, (gases from certain liquids or solids), and sunlight come together. In Lahore, all the dust from construction sites and oxygen in the air, cars, and factories that consume gas, are all a result of why the fog remains consistent.
In December, artificial rain was used as a technique to fight against the smog, and while many efforts have been made, nothing seems to be working. Smog season usually starts in October through February. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), it has exceeded 300, a level that is hazardous to humans.
Allergies, consistent respiratory diseases and the constant struggle to breathe in good air has caused thousands to suffer. Lahore is in an airshed area, one that has airborne chemicals that travel to reach a particular body of water, making it easy to get trapped in local weather and topography.
Declining Mental Health
Patients have experienced many symptoms, but one of the most devastating effects of the smog is on their mental health. They’re not able to do normal things like go outside, play sports, or ride a bike. In 2018, research was conducted that showed a strong correlation between the smog and how it affects the students’ behaviors because it causes mood swings, poor performance in their academics and when communicating with their peers, said Anum Omer, a Lahore-based Psychologist, while sharing her views with TheNewsToday.
“The constant fear of health risks, the discomfort, and the inability to engage in outdoor activities erode their sense of control and agency. Children are vulnerable, as smog disrupts their routine, causing anxiety and irritability.”
“Treatment approaches must acknowledge the interconnectedness of physical and mental health. I incorporate environmental considerations into therapy sessions, helping patients develop coping strategies to manage smog-related stress. Mindfulness techniques, stress management, and social support networks can help build resilience,” Omer added.
The City of Gardens
Lahore was once known as the city of gardens, with its flare, beauty, and fragrance. The skies that used to be clear now have been enveloped by a thick, hazy smog. The pollutants also make it hard for farmers to successfully grow their crops, and water sources are limited, leading to environmental deterioration.
With so many architectural pieces and historical landmarks, the thick smog has made it nearly impossible to admire the rich heritage.
Travel restrictions and the government, along with the smog, have discouraged tourists from visiting, also costing the economy and what used to be known as a vibrant destination.
Life With No Clean Air
Back at home with her two kids, Nadia Hassan said that even the plants, a primary source of fresh air, couldn’t escape smog’s wrath. During the smog season, many of her plants were damaged, leaving her wondering where to find clean air.
“My children would often complain about burning eyes, and I felt helpless as a parent, unable to shield them from this toxic environment,” she told TheNewsToday.
“The situation worsened when their school had to cancel sports lessons due to the poor air quality, depriving them of essential sunlight and physical activity. Life became dull and depressing, as we were forced to stay indoors, longing for a breath of fresh air,” Nadia added.
Provincial government efforts
In 2017, the Punjab government established the Smog Commission, a high-level body tasked with identifying and implementing solutions to tackle smog. The commission understood from many departments, industry, environment, health, and transport.
To do more, the government has acquired 13 air quality monitoring stations across Lahore to have a way to track the air, nitrogen oxides, and ozone levels. Having this helps since information helps to find where the pollution hotspots reside, and this influences the decisions used to put a hard stop to the smog problem. Since industrial emissions are one of the key components, the government has also taken measures by installing pollution control devices in factories, to monitor the pollutants.
A lot of green initiatives have been taken, such as planting over 1 million trees, due to the “Green Lahore” project, which is meant to promote green spaces and gardening and rooftop plantations. The government has also made a smart move by educating the citizens about the cause and effect of smog to raise more awareness, as well as the importance of their actions.
