KP Pollution : A growing threat to human health

PESHAWAR, Jul 6 (APP): Urban pollution has emerged as one of the most critical environmental and public health challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) exposing thousands to ailments and exert extra financial burden on provincial kitty.
Cities across the province including Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Abbottabad, Swat and so on are grappling with toxic air, contaminated water, plastic and domestic and untreated hospital and industrial waste.
Experts link this growing menace to rapid urbanization, deforestation, increasing vehicle traffic, unregulated industrial activities, brick kilns and a lack of proper waste management system.
Among all urban centers, Peshawar has been the hardest hit city with Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently exceeding the safer limits of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels set by the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS).
“PM2.5 pollution increases age-specific mortality risk. Residents of Peshawar are highly vulnerable due to emissions from unregulated traffic, brick kilns, marble units and chipboard factories,” said Professor Dr. Muhammad Nafees, Chairman Environmental Sciences Department, University of Peshawar.
He explained that PM2.5 consists of microscopic particles that linger in the air and when inhaled, can damage heart, lungs and respiratory system. “These particulate matter also become a cause of high blood pressure, asthma, cancer, stroke and chronic respiratory diseases.”
“Peshawar’s air quality is poor — WHO recommends a PM2.5 concentration of no more than 25 µg/m³, but current levels are much higher,” he added.
Studies show that smoke and dust in Peshawar hover at heights between five and ten feet, with PM2.5 levels nearly four times above NEQS standards — a cause for serious concern.
According to these studies, emissions from the transport sector account for 58.5% of Peshawar’s urban pollution, roadside dust contributes 17.7%, domestic burning shares 11.7%, industries accounts 6.6%, waste burning 4.1% and commercial burning 1.4%.
Nitrogen dioxide levels have also exceeded NEQS limits in several areas, leading to increased risks of lungs irritation and respiratory infections.
“The health impacts are severe. Respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even lung cancer are becoming more common,” said Dr. Fazal Sattar, former head of ENT Department, Khyber Teaching Hospital.
“Most of our patients reporting respiratory distress and COPD related issues come from Peshawar,” he noted.
Urban noise pollution often from traffic, construction and use of heavy machinery also contribute to rising cases of mental health, stress and sleep disorders in densely populated areas.
Globally, air pollution is responsible for about seven million deaths annually, with COPD accounting for 3.23 million. In Pakistan, COPD-related mortality stands at 138.2 deaths per 100,000 males and 41.3 per 100,000 females.
Shageef Bibi, a local resident, shared her grief as “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) had deprived her of her loving mother. “My mother Hussan Zadgai struggled with shortness of breath and persistent coughing before she passed away at Lady Reading Hospital.”
Dr. Aftab Ahmad, Director Livestock and Dairy Development warned that KP’s water resources are increasingly polluted due to industrial discharge, sewage, plastic and agricultural runoff. “Rivers like Kabul and Swat are contaminated with plastic, heavy metals and bacteria, threatening aquatic life and precious species like Mahseer and trout.”
“Plastic and solid waste dumping in rivers is endangering both aquatic biodiversity and human health,” he said.
Musawar Khan, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Environment and Forests, said the government is implementing the National Clean Air Plan by promoting urban forestry initiatives, establishment of environmental clubs at schools and plantation of native canopy trees along roads, parks, and public spaces.
The Ghari Chandan forest with 3.2 million plants was raised in the outskirts of Peshawar to improve city air, setting up tune-up stations for petrol and diesel vehicles, promotion LPG and biofuels, creating environmental squads within traffic police besides regular inspections of fuel and lubricant quality, Musawar said.
“Solid waste management is being upgraded and hospitals asked to install incinerators for safe disposal of medical waste,” he said. “Lady Reading Hospital that generates over 221,920 kg waste annually is now operating a central incinerator.”
Similar facilities have been set up at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Khyber Teaching Hospital, and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital.
The first Internet of Things (IoT)-based Air Quality Monitoring Gadget has been installed at the District Government Office in Peshawar. The system tracks air temperature, humidity, dust, and carbon dioxide levels, helping environmentalists devise data-driven strategies.
Authorities have also cracked down on polluting industries. Steel mills, chipboard factories and marble units in Hayatabad Industrial Estate and along Warsak Road have received notices to install pollution control systems, with non-compliant units sealed.
A ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags is in effect, with enforcement underway in Peshawar, D.I. Khan, and Swat. Vehicles Emission Testing Stations (VETS) are being strengthened to regulate traffic emissions, and efforts are on to shift to cleaner energy sources and promote urban plantation.
Experts have stressed that urban pollution is not merely an environmental issue, but a direct threat to human life. Without urgent and collective action by both the government and public, the health and future of generations in KP especially in cities like Peshawar would remain at grave risk.