• Ms Maham Tabassum

  Lecturer at College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (PU)

 

• Mr Muhammad Tahir

      Director (P&C) at Environment Protection Department

 

• Mr Mujtaba Ibrar 

      Research Officer at College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (PU)

 

• Mrs Zakia Khanum

      Escorts Foundation 

 

 

Insight we got from the experts is given below.

 

• Common air pollutants

  • Common air pollutants are gases like radon from basements, Carbon monoxide from incomplete burning of fuel (especially in kitchens that use conventional fuels or from under-maintained heaters used in winters), biological pollutants like mold (fungus), VOCs in air because of paints and varnishes, asbestos, cigarette smoke etc.

 

 

• Age group affected by IAP

  • The most affected age group is children and elderly people, although individual susceptibility may vary. Women are often more sensitive to IAP than men, e.g. Cigarette smoke

 

 

• Serious Health issue

  • Seriousness of IAP is recognized by several environmentalists and doctors, although much more capacity building must be done in this area. Target groups should be women at homes, men in offices, all doctors and especially government officials from the health department and EPD.

 

 

• Common diseases caused by IAP

  • Common diseases caused by IAP are asbestosis (from asbestos), legionnaire's disease (usually from using ACs, acute problems like coughing etc. from smoke & allergies from dust and mold. And more chronic diseases like lung cancer (from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke).

 

• Means of controlling IAP

  • Controlling IAP requires an integrated smoke, because different control measures must be used for different pollutants.

  • E.g. Radon can be reduced by sealing cracks in basements etc.

  • Smoke can be avoided by running awareness projects to discourage people from smoking, or to at least tell them to smoke outdoors in order to protect others from the harms of secondary smoke

  • Biological pollutants must be controlled by regularly getting air conditioners etc. Repaired to discourage build-up of fungus etc.

  • VOCs are a serious health issue - painters should wear masks and should work in well-ventilated areas.

  • A proper Building Energy Code (google this also) must be followed to construct new buildings in such a way that build-up of IAPs can be minimized. Good ventilation is really important in this regard.