LAHORE - The air quality reports prepared by the Punjab Environment Protection Department (EPD) indicate that ambient air in most parts of the metropolis has become seriously polluted and it is increasing the ratio of lung diseases and infections in the general public. The EPD has proposed to City District Government, TEPA and transport department to take appropriate steps to stop increase in the ratio of lethal gases emission from vehicles and other toxic effluents damaging the environment mostly in congested areas of the City. The data of EPD collected during 2007 to 2009 reveals that emission of compound pollutant gases including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitro oxides (NO2), methane gas/ hydro carbons (MGHC) respiratory dust (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO) and other pollutants are on the rise in major areas of the City. Official said major source of the air pollution is the higher density of traffic on roads, emission of lethal gases, poor motor examination system, traffic jams and industrial waste in the urban limits. The experts revealed the respiratory dust (PM2.5) present in the air is most dangerous for citizens who are inhaling the electronically detectable dust particles, which cause lung diseases and serious throat infections besides flu and aliments of chest and nose. The emission of gases in winter is more harmful as they remain in the breathing range of the air. According to the Environment Protection Act 1997, air pollutant means any substance that causes pollution of air and includes soot, smoke, dust particles, odor, light, electro-magnetic radiation, heat, fumes, combustion exhaust, exhaust gases, noxious gases, hazardous substances and radioactive substances which may threaten human health and affect quality of life. The EPD officials said two ambient air quality-monitoring stations are working 24 hours in Lahore in Town Hall and Township while one mobile air quality monitoring station moves in all parts of the City for studying the level of pollution in the air. The reports are sent to the respective stakeholders on weekly basis for necessary actions and urban planning work. Similarly, air quality stations are working in Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta for the air study. The EPD has requested the ministry of environment to notify the vehicular emission standards for Nox, SO2, and HC fro vehicles, which are yet to be made for taking action against vehicles for various violations of the environment. Besides, the EPD has asked the ministry of petroleum and gas through ministry of environment to reduce the sulfur content in the fuel, which is basic cause of higher amount of vehicular soot and smoke on roads. In addition, the EPD proposed to introduce pay principle in vehicular emission. The traffic engineering mechanism should be developed for smooth, uninterrupted vehicular movement and motor repair workshops having facilities of emission testing in the City the EPD recommended in one of its reports. EPD Director General Dr Shagufta Shahjahan told The Nation the environment protection department had dispatched reports and studies regarding proportions of air pollution in the City to the three stakeholders -city district government, transport department and TEPA - with regard to formulation of the strategies for controlling pollution in the City. Dr Shagufta Shahjahan stressed it was responsibility of the said stakeholders to make polices for controlling traffic density on roads to help reduce air pollution in the City.