Islamabad: (May 4, 2018): In view of rising level of smog across the Punjab, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to fund seven research projects in order to find solutions to minimize the duration and intensity of smog and to address health issues caused by it.

Under the programme entitled, “Problem Based Applied Interdisciplinary Research Programme, HEC and the Punjab Environment Protection Department jointly invited research proposals from universities of Pakistan to investigate the causes of smog, analyse its impact and devise mitigation strategies to reduce air pollution and winter smog. Against this call, 39 research proposals were received, whereas 10 proposals were shortlisted. Out of them, seven research proposals have been recommended by experts for funding for a period of two years.

Research findings of these research projects will help resolve the health-related issues caused by smog and will help minimise the duration and intensity of smog.

Smog causes major health risks including asthma, lung tissue damage, bronchial infections, various forms of allergies and heart problems. This situation forces masses to wear masks and glasses to avoid the effects of smog.