KARACHI, July 26: Advisor to Sindh chief minister on environment, Noman Sehgal, has appealed to masses to adopt precautionary measures while consuming water to avoid water- borne diseases.

The purification plants are not operating according to international standards so the water being supplied to residential areas was not only harmful for health, but also may cause skin disease.

He was talking to various delegations and NGOs representatives at his office on Monday. On the occasion, he underlined the need for having a pollution-free atmosphere, saying smoke-emitting vehicles were harmful for drivers, commuters and pedestrians as well.

While addressing the businessmen, he said before setting up new factories, there should be an arrangement for water treatment plants. Factories should also install fire-fighting equipment and they should also get an NOC from the environment ministry.

He asked the NGOs to cooperate with the government for creating an awareness among people regarding harmful results of different kinds of pollution. -PPI