The West Bengal pollution control board (WBPCB) has started the process of distributing 10,000 free LPG-powered iron pressers among roadside laundry stalls in Calcutta, Bidhannagar and Howrah to reduce air pollution.

Earlier, a study conducted by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), sponsored by WBPCB, found that such laundry stalls contribute 0.14 per cent of PM10 pollutant and 0.29 per cent of PM2.5 pollutant to the city air’s pollution mix. The pollutants are toxic and can enter deep into the respiratory system and trigger a range of diseases.

“We started the distribution in Bidhannagar today. We plan to give 10,000 pressers in a phased manner,” environment minister Soumen Mahapatra told The Telegraph on Wednesday.

“We plan to finish the distributing the iron pressers this winter. The pressers will also prove to be economical for the laundry stalls,” PCB chairman Kalyan Rudra said.