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Unprecedented air pollution in the Pakistani city of Lahore has forced authorities to close all primary schools for a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From Monday, 50% of office workers will also work from home, as part of a “green lockdown” plan. Other measures include bans on engine-powered rickshaws and vendors that barbecue without filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This smog is very harmful for children, masks should be mandatory in schools,” Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, topped the world list of cities with the most polluted air for a second time on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The air quality index, which measures a range of pollutants, exceeded 1,000 on Saturday, well above the benchmark of 300 considered “dangerous” by the World Health Organization, according to data from IQAir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The level of fine particulate matter in the air, the most damaging to health, also soared well into hazardous levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Raja Jehangir Anwar, a senior environment official, said the “biggest headache” causing the smog was the practice of burning crop waste, known as stubble, across the Indian border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aurangzeb said the fumes were \u201cbeing carried by strong winds into Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This cannot be solved without talks with India,” she said, adding that the provincial government would initiate such discussions through the foreign ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government is urging people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vehicles equipped with pumps are spraying water into the air to help control the smog level. Construction work has been halted in certain areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The situation will be assessed again next Saturday to establish whether schools should remain shut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inhaling toxic air can have catastrophic health consequences, including strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and some respiratory diseases, according to the WHO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n