ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s largest city of Karachi has been ranked the mostpolluted among the top ten major cities around the world, according to theUS Air Quality Index.
The index released by the Switzerland-based IQAir company on Monday saysPM2.5 is the main pollutant responsible for the worsening environmentsituation in the southern port city.
“PM2.5 concentration in Karachi is currently 7.6 times the [World HealthOrganization’s] annual air quality guideline value,” IQAir said on itswebsite.
It said that sensitive groups should reduce outdoor activities and use facemasks to protect themselves against air pollution.
“Observing the data from years past, it appears that pollution levels inKarachi are actually getting worse rather than improving,” the Swisscompany said.
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Lahore, the capital city of Punjab, has been ranked fifth in the US AirQuality Index.
The other cities ranked in the list include Portland and Seattle in the US,Sarajavo in Bosnia Herzegovena and Johannasburg in South Africa.
