Smoke emitting factories and small industrial units in sector I-9 of the capital are causing air and noise pollution in the area and has become a nuisance for the residents.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) director Saleem Khan told APP the complaints of noise, dust and smoke from the area were increasing.
The residents, specially asthma and allergy patients, in the 1-9 sector, attribute their problem to the heavy presence of smoke and dust in the industrial area.
Mubashir Hussain, an asthma patient, told APP that hundreds of trucks entered and left the area. Over 200 trucks used the Potohar road daily where his shop was located. He alleged that the CDA did not ensure cleanliness in the sector.
The CDA sweepers were rarely seen in the area, he said.
Rafaqat Ali, a resident of the same sector complained that scores of trucks that use the road daily create a lot of noise and pollution.
Muhammad Rashid, another I-9 resident, said throat, nasal and lung problems were very common in the area.
National Institute of Health (NIH) Allergy Centre’s laboratory expert said that the air quality in a city can be judged by measuring the levels of particulate matter in the air.
He said there are different types of particles, some are larger and visible but harmless, and others are smaller, invisible and hazardous to health adding Islamabad’s air quality does not meet safety standards on either count.
Polyclinic Executive Director Doctor Zahid warned that noise and air pollution is injurious to human health. Dr Zahid said the smoke emitted by trucks could cause respiratory infections, exacerbations of bronchial asthma, and high blood pressure.
He warned the smoke also contained carcinogens that could cause cancer. The dust could cause nasal allergy, asthma and noise hearing problems, he said.
Islamabad Traffic Police inspector Zubair Abbasi said that trucks could only use link roads to enter or leave the city.
He said senior traffic police official has asked his men to keep a vigilant eye on trucks causing noise or air pollution.
CDA Environment Protection Cell official said the civic body had warned factories against polluting environment through notices and would proceed against the smoke emitting or effluent discharging industrial units.
He informed APP that environment protection laws were also being amended.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Khurshid Ahmed said the phenomenon has been going on for a while, adding that pollution from Rawalpindi also affects the air quality of the capital.
He said EPA along with ICT has taken some steps to improve air quality, including encouraging new technology to clean the gasses released by steel mills in sectors 1-9 and 1-10.
“The new equipment is more effective than the old technology being used right now,” Khurshid said.
Islamabad is now close to crossing 1.6 million population mark and its six per cent per annum growth rate makes it the fastest growing city in Pakistan.
“The future regarding air quality is bad for this city. This situation, which is bad right now, will be four times worse in the next ten years,” said Khurshid.
this is our government who is already honour of steel mills. why did they take action against business fellows. people are living in different catagories some have money to afford expensive treatment but poor labour did not afford it. but our government and ministry of environment does'nt feel shame. shame on you NAWAZ GOVERNMRNT and ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT.
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