NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH ACTION PLAN TO BE FORMULATED
SHRI
T.R.BAALU EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER POLLUTION EFFECTS ON HEALTH
The Environment and
Forests Minister, Shri T.R.Baalu has said that further studies
on linkages between environmental pollution and health will be
taken up to formulate appropriate action plans for the protection
of public health. He was speaking after inaugurating the two-day
conference on environmental health here today. Stating that preliminary
studies have established the relationship between pollution and
health risks, the Minister observed that women and children specially
in the rural areas are subject to high risks due to indoor air
pollution caused by burning of agricultural residues, cow dung,
kerosene, coal and firewood for cooking purposes. Shri Baalu informed
that the Committee on Environment and Health has submitted its
report and the necessary follow up action is being taken up.
Shri Baalu said that
pollution levels have declined in several parts of the country
as a result of various measures taken. He, however, expressed
concern over the levels of suspended particular matter (SPM),
nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide exceeding the limits in metropolitan
cities. He further said that an Environmental Health Cell has
been set up in the Ministry to initiate activities pertaining
to environmental health. Shri Baalu said that though industrialisation
and economic growth have improved the quality of life, people
living in major cities and major industrial complexes are facing
increased health risks. People are increasingly getting exposed
to a variety of toxic substances like industrial chemicals, agro-chemicals
and pesticides, air pollutants, natural and man-made toxic and
hazardous substances, the Minister said.
The Committee on
Environment and Health in its report submitted earlier this year
called for collection of adequate data on linkages between environment
and health so as to prepare a National Environmental Health Action
Plan. The two-day conference on environmental health being organised
by the Ministry will look into the data and methodological issues
for evolving a national action plan.
