Punjab to install 50,000 dust collectors in grain markets 

Chandigarh: Punjab is all set to counter dust pollution from grain markets across the state with installation of dust collectors on nearly 50,000 grain cleaning machines, thus providing relief to 300,000 directly-affected workers, it was announced on Monday.The pollution is the main cause of respiratory and lung diseases among labourers, farmers, and commission agents as well as those living in the vicinity of the grain markets.Under this initiative, the Punjab Pollution Control Board has developed certain types of machines that collect the dust particles, which pollute the air during the crops’ cleaning process, said board Chairman Kahan Singh Pannu.These machines will help to keep the environment healthy inside and outside the grain markets, he added.When the crops arrive at the grain markets, a lot of dust flows during their cleansing process, and this not only increases the pollution but also causes the spread of respiratory allergies or lung disease.Pannu said the board took air samples from 10 main grain markets of the state and found that RPM levels (respiratory particulate matter) was five to eight times more than from prescribed limit of 100 microgram per cubic metre.He said this dust pollution was a major danger, which urgently needed to be curbed.

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