The repeated monsoon rainfalls in the country plummeted the scorching heat across the country in general but also helped improve the federal capital’s air quality in particular on Tuesday.
The air pollution in the metropolis has remained low since the onset of the recent monsoon spell, as prolonged rainy weather helped in containing air pollutants in the atmosphere.
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency’s (Pak-EPA) daily air quality report indicated a reduced ratio of air pollutants, recorded below permissible limits, and healthy air quality. The Agency is responsible for ensuring the protection of the environment under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act of 1997. The hazardous air pollutant particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which was a hazardous atmospheric contaminant, remained at 14.01 micrograms per cubic meter on average, which was higher than the NEQS of 35 micrograms per cubic meter and denoted the air quality as unhealthy.
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 road.