Medical professionals, academics, students and environmentalists have called for initiating meaningful action on health emergency caused by air pollution.

Senior medical doctor and researcher, Dr Zulfiqar Mir said that approximately 135,000 people die prematurely every year in Pakistan due to air pollution. "Most of the deaths occur in Punjab, especially in Lahore. This is a public health emergency. We want the environmental, health and climate departments to take note of this critical issue," he said while addressing a press conference on Friday.

Emergency measures should be taken to reduce the air and safeguard the public's well-being, he said, adding: "The government should implement the existing smog and clean air policies, and go even farther to check pollution to safeguard the public's health."

Dr Alia Haider outlined measures which include transforming the two largest polluting sectors - transport and health by building a sustainable public transport infrastructure and getting polluting vehicles off the road, shutting down industrial units that are violating regulations, shutting down coal-fired power plants and transitioning to renewable energy production.

Pediatrician, Dr Intesar, and ENT, Dr ShahRukh, discussed the health impacts of breathing air filled with carcinogens and particulate matter that is absorbed into the body's organs.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019