THIS is apropos the news report (Oct 8) regarding the Sindh Environmental Impact Assessment report for constructing a highrise building in Block 9 Clifton. The most important issue is of air quality.

According to the WHO, 92 per cent of air quality worldwide is bad. It is most dangerousforunborn children,expecting mothers, young children and seniors.

Karachi is the fourth most polluted city in the world. With the acceleration of road building and building construction, we will probably soon head the list! Children`s undeveloped lungs inhale 15,000 litres of bad air daily. Fine particles known as PM 2.5 and PM 10 destroy our lungs leading to asthma, bronchitis, cancer, diabetes, heart attacks, kidney failure and strokes. These minute particles affect every citizen. The same WHO report states 10 years of our lives are lost to bad air.

Second, Karachi is located on three earthquake fault lines (Eurasian, Arabian and Indian tectonic plates). Unless the buildings we construct are of earthquakeproof quality, this city will suffer immensely when and if this happens.

Third, with the rise of sea levels, this coastal city is very susceptible to climate change. Buildings on reclaimed land will suffer like Miami Beach.

Citizens must be aware of the risks that Karachi is facing and its future.

Venu Advani Karachi