Dangerous smog: NIH asks people to use masks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is entering one of its most hazardous smog seasons in recent years, the National Institute of Health (NIH) warned on Tuesday and urged the public to reduce outdoor exposure, use N95 or KN95 masks and prepare for a sharp rise in respiratory and cardiac illnesses as air pollution reaches crisis levels across major cities.

The advisory, issued by the NIH’s Centre for Disease Control, has been circulated to all provinces with instructions for immediate preventive action. Senior NIH officials told this correspondent that Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and even Islamabad are now recording AQI levels that repeatedly cross the hazardous mark, with fine particulate matter penetrating deep into the lungs and bloodstream.“People must limit outdoor activity during peak smog hours and wear proper air-purifying masks if they have to step outside. This is not a mild health concern; it is a serious threat,” an NIH official said.

The advisory notes that Pakistan’s air quality has deteriorated dramatically over the past decade. Dense winter smog, formed by trapped cold air, vehicle emissions, brick kiln smoke, industrial pollutants and crop burning, is now affecting the health and daily lives of millions. Lahore has frequently topped global pollution charts since 2024, with AQI readings often exceeding 400. Similar spikes have been reported in other urban centres, contributing to a surge in hospital visits. The NIH has highlighted severe health risks linked with PM2.5 exposure, particularly for children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with asthma, COPD, heart disease or diabetes. Prolonged exposure can trigger asthma attacks, bronchitis, acute respiratory infections, heart attacks and strokes. “Children inhale more pollutants relative to their body size, and we are especially worried about long-term lung damage,” an NIH expert said.

The advisory outlines clear steps for the public: limit outdoor activity, use N95 or KN95 masks, keep windows closed, use air purifiers with HEPA filters, avoid indoor pollution sources like smoking and stay hydrated. People with worsening symptoms have been advised to seek immediate medical attention. At the community and government level, the NIH has called for stricter enforcement of industrial emission laws, cleaner fuel adoption, improved public transport and stronger awareness campaigns. It has also urged provinces to curb agricultural burning and ensure that brick kilns and vehicles comply with emission standards.

The NIH officials said the advisory has been sent to all federal and provincial departments, major hospitals, healthcare commissions, armed forces medical units and district administrations. “We want this message to reach every household. Smog is not just an environmental issue; it is a public health emergency, and preventive action is the only immediate defence,” the officials said.

The agency has warned that without urgent steps, Pakistan will continue to face worsening smog episodes each winter, putting vulnerable populations at the greatest risk and placing additional burden on already strained hospitals.