The Sindh Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has taken notice of the air pollution being caused by rendering units in Cattle Colony. Talking to Dawn, Sepa director Kiran Noman said that a notice was sent last week to the town municipal officer concerned and the matter was being investigated.

In terms of the health hazards posed by the rendering units, Dr Javaid A. Khan, a professor of pulmonary and critical medicine at the Aga Khan University and Hospital, said that the burning of polythene materials releases toxic gases that destroys lung immunity and makes people vulnerable to various diseases, including respiratory infections.

“Such pollution is extremely dangerous,” he said. “People who live in such an environment are likely to suffer respiratory infections. Incidences of sore throat, cold, pneumonia and asthma are quite common.