QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): The Environment Protection Department (EPD) in northwestern Badghis province has complained against increasing air pollution in the province and asked families, owners of Hamams and hotels to refrain from the use of low quality items as fuel.
EPD Acting Head Mohammad Jumma Pahlawi told Pajhwok Afghan News after increase in cold Badghis air particularly the provincial capital Qala-i-Naw air had become more polluted.
He said all Hamams in in the City had been constructed below the standard and most of them use coal for heating.
He said most families used coal or heating up their rooms and urged them to refrain from using low quality items for burning.
Mohammad Jumma said: “Families should strive and cooperate with us because the EPD alone could not deal with this issue.”
Mohammad Javid Akhzi, one of the doctors in Badghis told Pajhwok Afghan News air pollution generated a number of diseases including respiratory and heart diseases.
He added: “Air pollution cause closure of lungs tissues which can lead to death.”
Dr. Ali Ahmad Mohammadi, an environmental affairs expert, expressed concern over the growing air pollution and said the use of toxic materials, especially plastic, will result in increased production of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, the production of greenhouse gases will increase and it will lead to air pollution and warming of the earth, it will even cause the death of people.
He said: “The government should try to educate the people and also monitor the use of plastics to prevent air pollution.”
Local residents of Badghis also complained against growing air pollution.
Mohammad Shah, one of the local residents, said: “The weather has become very bad because families are using plastic and insulation to heat their houses, this has caused the residents to get more sick and the government should prevent this practice.”
Mohammad Esa, another local resident has similar complaint and asked the government and NGOs to provide quality burning materials to the masses to prevent air pollution.
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