'Large number of people die from air pollution annually'

The Punjab Minister of Environment Fakir Syed Aijazuddin has said that half to one million people die prematurely each year from exposure to air pollution.
Addressing a seminar here on Thursday he said creating awareness among the masses regarding negative effects was need of the hour and Suparco services in this regard were laudable.
Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) is involved in space and atmospheric research activities. This year, it has initiated a comprehensive and detailed investigative study on the issue of wide spread dense winter fog in Lahore and proximate eastern Punjab. This dense fog adversely affects human health and particularly, transport, socio-economic sector, a spokesman of commission said.
Dr Ghauri and Arifa of Suparco, Dr Saleemi of UET Lahore, Dr Ilyas Faridi of Institute of Public Health Lahore highlighted the prevailing level of aerosols in the city and their environmental impacts.