Lahore's air quality prompts child's simple observation: 'I can breathe here'

The stark contrast between the air quality in London and Lahore was brought into sharp relief by a nine-year-old girl's simple observation: "Baba, I can breathe here." Her father recounted how, after living in Lahore for years where his daughter constantly wore a mask outdoors due to severe pollution, the ease of breathing in London was a profound moment.

Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently hovers around 150, with last year's average at 170 and many days reaching 200-300. In contrast, London's AQI was a mere 20 on the day of the remark, and has averaged around 42-45 in recent years. This difference has had a serious impact on children's health in Lahore. The father noted his daughter's reliance on medication like montelukast sodium for allergies and respiratory issues, stating she had been sicker in recent years than in her earlier childhood.

“

Baba, I can breathe here.

Paediatricians observe that children in Pakistan seem to depend heavily on such medications, a situation mirrored in other children at her school. School absences due to sickness have also risen significantly. The article points out the lack of major, sustained efforts to curb air pollution in Pakistan, despite ample evidence of its detrimental health effects.

Air pollution's impact extends beyond children, affecting adults with increased risks of heart disease, blood pressure issues, strokes, dementia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Hospitals often prepare for surges in patients during periods of poor air quality. London itself has made strides, implementing the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) program in 2019, which mandates stricter emission standards for vehicles, despite initial opposition due to increased costs.

“

This was also the case with other children in her class and school.