The Pakistan Protection Agency (EPA) has called out ‘irresponsible construction activities’ in Islamabad for worsening the city’s air quality, a news source reported. Recent data presented by the agency indicated an increased ratio of toxic air pollutant particulate matter, showing 2.5 microns (PM2.5) suspended in the city’s airstream.
Referring to the ongoing construction of the Faisal Avenue G-7 and G-8 underpass, an EPA official revealed that the agency’s online system was monitoring the air quality within the project’s vicinity. She added that the data recorded indicated an increased ratio of air pollutants.
Further the official said, that an EPA team had visited the project site. She stated that the team found no dust control system installed by the project’s contractor. She added that taking this measure was mandatory according to the environmental impact assessment report submitted to the EPA.
On the other hand, the EPA official revealed that during such road constructions and mega infrastructure project undertakings, the air quality in the respective areas always became ‘bad and polluted’.
According to EPA, the permissible ratio of pollutants stands at 35 micrograms per cubic metre (mg/m3). On the other hand, the current data shows PM2.5, which equals 92.23 mg/m3.
As per a 2015 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution was the cause of a significant number of premature deaths globally. The report also considered a reading of PM2.5 to be hazardous, at which air toxins could penetrate into the human blood through the respiratory system.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) Director Sanitation Sardar Khan Zimir stated that it was the contractor’s responsibility to manage the dust levels on project sites – and relocate all the effected tree plantations.
