Posted on April, 28 2026
Air quality data from Faisalabad reveals a persistent, year-round pollution crisis masked by seasonal variation, with particulate matter levels remaining far above safe limits even in comparatively “better” months.
This project focuses on understanding how access to clean, healthy air can become a reality by generating reliable, real-time data and strengthening evidence-based decision-making. By highlighting patterns of exposure and identifying key pollution sources, it aims to support informed action that improves air quality and safeguards public health.
The EPIC Air Quality Project, a collaboration between the Institute of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of the Punjab, and WWF-Pakistan, funded by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), USA, deployed 10 low-cost air quality monitoring devices across key locations, including transport corridors, residential neighborhoods, and industrial zones, to generate real-time, publicly accessible data.
Beyond monitoring, the project incorporates spatial and temporal analysis to identify pollution hotspots and trends, laying the foundation for future research linking air quality with public health outcomes. The dataset, available on AirGradient platform, captures variations in PM₁, PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, CO₂, TVOCs, humidity, and temperature, providing critical evidence for policymakers, researchers, and the public. CO₂ levels averaged around 448 ppm, while TVOC concentrations ranged between 136–200 ppb. Relative humidity fluctuated between 56% and 66%, reaching up to 83% in some areas—conditions that influence pollutant behavior and persistence.
Faisalabad, Pakistan’s third-largest city and a major industrial hub, continues to face significant air quality challenges. Mobile monitoring across 200 sites has shown PM₂.₅ levels exceeding the Punjab Environmental Quality Standard (PEQS) of 35 μg/m³ at most locations. Compared globally, Faisalabad’s pollution levels remain significantly higher than many major cities, even when accounting for seasonal trends.
Speaking on the initiative, Sohail Ali Naqvi, Director, Freshwater Programme, WWF-Pakistan, said, “Low-cost sensors turn an invisible crisis into actionable evidence—enabling real-time insights and decisive action to reduce air pollution in Faisalabad.”
“Air pollution is a critical issue in Pakistan and globally. Faisalabad's EPIC Air project can serve as a potential model for cities to effectively monitor and manage air quality,” said Dr. Zaeem Bin Babar, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Energy & Environmental Engineering, University of the Punjab.
WWF-Pakistan continues to advocate for long-term solutions addressing the root causes of smog, including upgrading fuel standards to Euro-V, promoting electric mobility, enforcing vehicle fitness regimes, regulating brick kilns, and strictly implementing bans on crop residue burning.
