Punjab adopts steps to combat smog
MINISTER SAYS USE OF CHEAP FUEL IN FACTORIES BANNED, WHILE BURNING CROP STUBBLE, GARBAGE IS PROHIBITED
Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Punjab Aslam Iqbal yesterday said the Punjab government was adopting adequate measures to combat pollution and smog across the province.
“A crackdown has been launched against those causing air and environmental pollution,” he added.
Talking to APP in his office, the minister said, “Smog badly disrupts daily life, therefore, a sustainable policy is being devised in this regard.”
He said, the government had already prohibited the use of substandard fuel in factories and there was also a ban on burning crop stubble and garbage. Besides, he said, coalfired brick kilns were closed from October to December.
The minister said no violation would be tolerated as controlling environmental pollution was a service to humanity.
Answering a question, the minister said, the provincial government had decided to set up the Punjab Clean Air Commission to control pollution and smog. In this regard, he said, recommendations and proposals were presented by officials of the departments concerned to prevent smog and pollution.
Iqbal maintained that a campaign on would be launched social media to create awareness about damage caused to the environment by burning of solid waste. He said, committees had been set up at tehsil and district levels for monitoring of measures to control environmental pollution.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, Capt (retired) Anwarul Haq said, all industrial units must install smoke controlling device for the treatment of toxic smoke. He also instructed brick kilns association to adopt zig-zag technology in brick kilns to cut pollution. He also instructed the agriculture department to sensitize farmers against crop stubble burning.
Protection against smog
Meanwhile, doctors yesterday advised citizens to stay indoors, avoid heavy exercises and outdoor walks, while advising them to constantly sip warm water to keep their respiratory system healthy during smoggy weather.
General physician Dr Hussain Chohan, talking to a private news channel saidvarious problems such as burning sensation in eyes, breathlessness, sinusitis, headache, respiratory infections, allergic asthma and dry itchy skin are seen during smog.
Children and elderly persons are the worst-affected, he said. Use of air-conditioning and low water intake aggravate the symptoms, he added.
Dr Chohan said the alarming smog situation was due to pollution and a lack of rain, and also from smoke generated by vehicles, factories and from burnt crops. He said smog is a result of air impurities and pollutants that can be hazardous to human health.
He explained that exposure to ultra-violet radiation plays a role in the spreading of various eye infections including irritation, burning sensation, watering and redness of eyes.
Wearing UV protected sunglasses outdoors can be helpful. To thwart augmented allergy and any sort of eye infection, avoid rubbing the eyes and frequently use eye drops suggested by eye-specialists, he suggested.
He said if air quality is bad, people must stay indoors and try to keep the windows closed. When a person is exposed to pollution, it can cause coughing and irritation in the throat, he added. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day and include hot fluids to your daily routine, Dr Chohan said. “It helps rinse out the toxins from throat and lungs that can be beneficial in curing cough and sore throat as well,” he added.
Moreover, People with asthma and allergies are more prone to lung inflammation during smoggy days. The presence of toxins in the air can aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms, leaving people struggling to breathe. Keep asthma medications handy, he said.
He said cardiac patients may witness heightened symptoms during smog that could lead to severe health problems. Polluted air comprises of particles that prevent an individual to breathe normally and can cause irregular heart beats, at times even resulting in chest pain.
Dr Chohan said, people suffering with cardiac problems must avoid situations where they are exposed to high levels of air pollution.
Other precautions include sanitizing their indoor air using air filters and avoiding outdoor physical activities such as walking or exercising near smoggy and hazy areas.
The national capital’s air quality was on the brink of turning severe yesterday due to stubble burning in the adjoining regions and unfavourable meteorological conditions, authorities said.
The overall air quality index of Delhi was recorded at 392, which falls in the ‘very poor’ category and is just eight points from turning severe.
On Tuesday, Delhi’s air quality slipped to severe category, prompting authorities to issue a slew of directions including ban on construction activities along with halting operations of industries using coal and biomass as fuel between November 1 and 10.
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology said the prevailing meteorological conditions are less favourable for dispersal of pollutants for the next two days due to low wind speed.
Moreover, authorities said that due to pollutants caused by biomass burning in the adjoining regions of Delhi and unfavourable meteorological conditions, the air quality is likely to remain in the ‘very poor’ category yesterday and today.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.
The centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research said about 12 per cent of pollution by PM2.5 (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers) yesterday was caused due to stubble burning. The PM2.5 was recorded at 235. Fine particulates can be a matter of more serious health concern than PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers).
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data PM10 level in Delhi stood at 425.
The CPCB has yesterday put up guidelines for the public to file complaints of air pollution in Delhi-NCR on its social media page, website, and through its mobile application.
It has also directed the pollution control bodies of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi to start criminal prosecution against agencies or individuals who do not comply with directives to check pollutant levels.
The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has urged Delhiites to use public transport for the first 10 days of November to keep a check on pollution.
Noting that private vehicles contribute to 40 per cent pollution in Delhi-NCR, the EPCA urged people to reduce use of private vehicles during this period and use public transport.