Toxic emissions

Over a dozen people in Karachi’s Keamari area died due to toxic gas emissions

The tragic deaths of over a dozen people in Karachi’s Keamari area earlier this year have been a cause for concern and investigation. This is because while locals believed it to be the result of inhaled toxic fumes from a nearby industrial area, staunch resistance was posed by industrialists who claimed it to be a measles outbreak. After a thorough probe, however, a medical board has now confirmed that toxic gases were the cause of these fatalities.

This revelation is a wake-up call for the authorities to take swift action and address the serious issue of toxic gas emissions in industrial units across the country, which have been posing a grave threat to the health and well-being of local residents. It is imperative that the government and relevant stakeholders prioritise human health and ensure that industrial emissions are strictly regulated and monitored to prevent further harm. This includes stringent enforcement of environmental laws, regular monitoring of air quality and prompt action against polluters. Pakistan does have environmental regulations in place that govern industrial emissions. However, there is a need for rigorous enforcement to ensure that industries comply with emissions standards. Moreover, regular monitoring of air and water quality near industrial sites is crucial to identify and address toxic emissions. Concerned officials must bring on board experts who can help devise a robust monitoring and reporting mechanism to track emissions from industrial sites and hold polluters accountable.

Immediate action is required to ensure that the air in Karachi’s industrial areas is safe to breathe and that the health and well-being of the local populations are safeguarded. It is time to act decisively and protect the people from the grave threat posed by toxic gases. Failure to do so would be a gross neglect of the government’s duty which may, God forbid, result in further harm.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2023.

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