Toxic smog blankets Lahore

Unprecedented levels of poisonous smog have infested Lahore,
Pakistan, threatening the health of millions of people with
tiny cancer-inducing particles known as PM2.5

INDIA
LAHORE
PAKISTAN

LAHORE AIR QUALITY INDEX (24 hours)
12pm
Nov 11

6pm

12am
Nov 12

6am

1,500
1,200
900
600
300
0

12PM
475

7PM
1,304

11AM
431

Score above 300
deemed hazardous
to health

DEADLY DUST

PM2.5: Fine particulate
matter that is 2.5
microns or less
in diameter

Human
hair

50μm-70μm

2.5μm
to scale

Level of PM2.5 in
Lahore is 120 times
higher than safe levels
set by World Health
Organisation

When inhaled, PM2.5
can enter bloodstream
and is linked to asthma,
heart disease, lung
disease and cancer

Sources: CNN, BBC, IQAir, California Air Resources Board
Picture: Getty
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