Environment Minister Yassmine Fouad has said her ministry started early this year adopting new measures to confront air pollution problem resulting from the annual phenomenon of black cloud. In statements to MENA, Fouad said high humidity coupled with generally inadequate ventilation are the main causes behind feeling the black cloud phenomenon this year. The ministry's plan to control air pollution depends on several pillars, including collecting and recycling rice straw in coordination with the relevant authorities, where equipment for chopping, pressing as well as tractors were made available, added the minister. The black clouds are also caused by natural factors, as well as human factors such as open burning of rice straw, Fouad further said. Source: State Information Service Egypt