A new report from the Punjab Urban Unit reveals the leading sources of air pollution in the region, offering surprising insights into each contributor’s impact.
First, vehicle emissions top the list, making up a massive 83.15% of all pollution. Outdated or poorly maintained vehicles release most of these emissions, putting transportation as the dominant pollution source.
Next, industrial activities rank second, contributing 9.07% to total pollution. Factories and manufacturing units are the primary culprits here, though their share is much smaller than that of vehicles.
Surprisingly, agricultural waste burning contributes only 3.9% to pollution levels. Likewise, the burning of general waste adds a small 3.6%.
Moreover, lesser-known sources like commercial building activities and household activities contribute even less, at 0.14% and 0.11%, respectively.
This report highlights the need for focused policies, especially for reducing vehicle emissions, to improve Punjab’s air quality effectively.
