The Bangladesh government has announced new measures to combat environmental pollution. The government's National Environment Committee (NEC) has decided to ban the use of polythene by new industries and has requested ministries to limit its use. Plastic is a major contaminant of the country's environment, said the committee. The NEC has also decided to phase out the import of two-stroke engines in an attempt to reduce the levels of thick black smoke which cause air pollution. The NEC has also asked to take steps to improve the quality of lead-free fuel.