The Health experts on Monday has made a public appeal to the people of Karachi to restrict their outdoor activities and to wear masks to protect themselves from the continuously worsening levels of air quality in the city and adjoining areas.
In the appeal, they emphasized that, children and the elderly people need more care and precaution as their immune system is weak.
It is to be noted that, the advice of the experts that are associated with the Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) has come against the backdrop of recent reports ranking Karachi as the third worst mainly in terms of the air quality across the globe.
They have described the air quality of Karachi as “very unhealthy” and advised the citizens to reduce the time and intensity of outdoor activities mainly during peak pollution times.
Dr Kiran Abdul Sattar, who heads the Institute of Family Medicine at the JSMU, said that, “This is important mainly for the children and the elderly who should be asked to stay indoors during the peak pollution times. People should wear masks outdoor and use air purifiers indoor.”
She also emphasized the requirement for practicing good hygiene, promoting awareness about the threat of breathing and driving in smog and fog.
She alerted that, “The accumulation of dense atmospheric particles during the winter exacerbates air quality issues, causing various health problems such as eye allergies, respiratory issues, and throat irritation. People with respiratory conditions, like asthma, may experience worsened symptoms and reduced lung function.”
She highlighted that, the presence of smog, reduced visibility, hampered daily activities and increased the risk of accidents. “it also diminishes the aesthetic beauty of Karachi’s landscapes and affects outdoor activities and events.”
JSMU Vice Chancellor Prof Amjad Siraj Memon urged the government to implement strict regulations to reduce pollution levels and improve air quality monitoring.
As per the IQAir, an international firm monitoring air quality, the particulate matter measurement in Karachi stood at around 200 last week, leading to severe smog and dense fog. A ranking of around 200 makes Karachi air ‘very unhealthy’.
