Smog is a Serious Threat to the Human Health
Government Taking Steps to the Right Direction to Control the Situation- Prof. Alfareed zafar
LAHORE, November 16:
Smog is a serious threat to the human health. On the direction of caretaker chief minister punjab syed mohsin naqvi , government moving in the right direction to overcome the situation. Smog is a mixture of smoke and fog, in which different harmful gasses produced by the burning of petrol are present in addition to carbon dioxide, led metal particles which accumulate in the lungs and pulmonary veins through inhalation, which causes cough, cold and acute pulmonary infection. These views were expressed by Post Graduate Medical & Ameer Uddin Medical College Principal Prof. Dr. Muhammad Al-Fareed Zafar while addressing the participants of the seminar organized by the Department of Pulmonology in Lahore General Hospital. He underscored that we have to learn from developed countries and use the experience of research and technical expertise in this regard because as compared to Pakistan, there is a very huge network of industries in developed countries. Those countries do not have to face the situation like smog which is a matter of consideration for the concerned departments and institutions which are already active in Pakistan. He urged to raise public awareness about prevention, curative measures against smog, while the HoD Pulmonology Dr. Javed Magsi, Prof. Dr. M Shahid, Prof. Faheem Afzal and other medical experts also addressed. MS Prof. Dr. Nudrat Sohail and a large number of Professors, Doctors, health professionals and medical students participated in the Seminar.
Prof. Al-Fareed Zafar added that those most vulnerable by smog include children, elderly people and pregnant women because senior citizens and pregnant women are already facing different kind of problems. Due to chest congestion, respiratory and asthma diseases and anemia in women, their health is weak and they are easily affected by smog, so the concerned departments should focus on the fitness of smoke emitting vehicles to minimize air pollution. He further highlighted that special attention should be given to overcome this critical problem facing by the society especially in the big cities. Furthermore, the brick kilns running unhindered in the suburbs of Lahore should be mandated to use modern technology to prevent the emission of harmful fumes and in this regard there is a need to conduct awareness campaigns in the areas so that people do not voluntarily set fire to crop residues and garbage.
Dr. Javed Magsi said that smoke emitted from the kilns is harmful to health, while the burning of crop residue is causing further damage to human health, especially along the eastern border of Pakistan, the burning of crop after harvesting the paddy crop and the wind blowing from east to west. He added that Lahore is being affected more where the ratio of air pollution is touching dangerous levels every day for which the concerned institutions have to make more concerted efforts and the people have to fulfill their responsibilities as civilized citizens.
Medical experts said that in order to be safe from smog, people should not leave their homes unnecessarily, make sure to use a face mask when going out because smog also affects the eyes which can lead to infection and redness for which patients are turning to hospitals with complaints. They said that in order to avoid this situation, citizens should make it mandatory to use glasses and wash their eyes and face with fresh water as soon as they reach their destination so that the dust and pollution particles are cleaned which can cause skin diseases and itching as well. Prof. Al-Fareed urged the medical students to use the bicycles and play their role in creating awareness among other families and surrounding people by taking precautionary measures. At the end of the ceremony, Principal PGMI thanked the HOD Pulmonology Dr. Javed Magsi and his team and appreciated them for organizing the awareness seminar on this important issue like smog.
