Lockdown led to up to 40% reduction in air, noise pollution in Karachi: SEPA

Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, experienced improved air quality and an up to 40 per cent decrease in noise pollution during the lockdown. This was disclosed during a dialogue with environmental experts held in the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency’s (SEPA) complex on the occasion of World Environment Day on Friday. Last year the port city was reported as the 5th filthiest city in the world.

According to data collected by SEPA, during the lockdown in April 2020, from different locations of the city’s six districts, the average particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) – the most lethal and stubborn air pollutant – was reduced by 39 per cent as compared to the same data taken from 76 locations of the city in February 2020 before the lockdown. Likewise, noise level in the city also improved by 19 per cent during the lockdown, they maintained.

Source: Express Tribune