Pollution-Environment-News-The Economic Times - Seite 4 
Thousands fall ill in eastern Pakistan due to heavy smog, forcing closure of schools, markets, parks
Toxic gray smog has sickened tens of thousands of people in Pakistan's cultural capital of Lahore, forcing authorities to shut schools, markets and parks for four days, officials said Thursday. The decision came after the country's second-largest city was repeatedly ranked the world's most polluted city. Doctors advised people to wear face masks and stay at home. Residents said many people were coughing and having breathing problems. Experts say the burning of crop residue at the start of the winter wheat-planting season is a key cause of the pollution.
GRAP temporary emergency measure, need enforcement of rules & penal action to tackle air pollution: Experts
Experts have highlighted the inadequate implementation and enforcement of existing rules as the weakest link in the fight against air pollution in Delhi-NCR. They suggest that real action should be taken to address vehicular pollution, industrial emissions, waste burning, and construction/demolition dust, rather than focusing solely on episodic events like stubble burning. The experts also emphasize the need for a regional approach to pollution control, as air pollutants do not have boundaries.
Air pollution affects brain, leads to anxiety, decrement of cognitive ability: Doctors
Doctors in Delhi have warned that air pollution not only affects the lungs but also other major organs such as the heart and brain. There has been an increase in cases of headache, anxiety, confusion, and cognitive decline, especially among vulnerable groups. A study in North Carolina showed that air quality has a direct impact on children's mathematical abilities. Doctors advise vulnerable populations and those with pre-existing conditions to stay indoors and take preventive measures.
Air pollution linked to Parkinson's disease, finds study
Living in areas with higher levels of air pollution increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study published in the medical journal Neurology. The study found that those living in areas with median levels of air pollution are 56% more likely to develop the disease compared to those in areas with the lowest levels. The research also identified regional differences in the strength of the association, with the Mississippi-Ohio River Valley and parts of Texas, Kansas, eastern Michigan, and Florida being identified as hotspots.