Introduction:
In 2023, Pakistan maintained its position as one of the world’s top three countries with severe smog levels, alongside Bangladesh and India, according to the IQAir Report. Particulate matter (PM), exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended levels by approximately 15 times, soared to an average concentration of 73.7 micrograms per cubic meter in Pakistan. The WHO guidelines suggest a maximum of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. The buildup of pollutants can also be ascribed to the unique topographical and climatic conditions of South Asia having limited dispersion mechanisms, which leads to an increase in PM2.5 concentrations.[1]
