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The Environmental Management Agency has received several complaints from various quarters on air pollution emanating mostly from burning of backyard trash as well as burning of trash in skip bins in and around the central business district.Undoubtedly, burning of trash has become a common practice of garbage dispose due to various reasons and chief among them being the local authorities’ failure to regularly collect refuse. Besides polluting the air, the burning of trash raises a lot of health concerns. Most people who burn waste do not realise how harmful this practice is to their health, that of others and the negative impact this has on the environment.

Pollutants from backyard burning of trash are released primarily into the air- close to ground level-with no pollution controls unlike industrial air pollution which can be regulated though the use of cleaner air pollution abatement technologies.

Why should I stop burning waste?

Today’s trash contains a lot of plastics, polystyrene (commonly known as k–lite) and paper treated with chemicals, coatings and ink. The burning of such releases toxic chemicals and produces many pollutants including carbon monoxide, particle pollution, ash, dioxins (a group of highly toxic chlorinated organic chemicals which are produced primarily as a result of human activity) thus presenting dangerous health conditions that can be caused by inhaling or ingesting small amounts of these pollutants.

Vulnerable groups such as small children, especially those under the age of five, the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions are at great risk of being affected. Much of the pollutants released into the air through backyard burning settles on plants which are eaten by animals and people are exposed to them by eating meat, fish and dairy products. Some of these chemicals can remain in the environment for a long time. Particle pollution also referred to as particulate matter refers to micro particles released by open burning. Particles small enough to get into lungs can aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis and have been associated with heart irregularities and attacks. Open burning also contributes to ground level ozone pollution, also known as smog which can worsen respiratory, heart and other existing health problems. It can also lead to eye, nose and throat irritation, damage to the central nervous system among other effects. Environmentally, smog inhibits plant growth and can cause widespread damage to crops and forests.

Vegetation plays a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing the oxygen that we breathe, if we destroy it through excessive pollution we put ourselves at great risk. Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas which drives global warming. Ash residue from burning can contain toxic metals such as mercury, lead, chromium, and arsenic. Unaware of the potential danger some people scatter ash in their gardens or bury in their properties. Garden vegetables can absorb these chemicals and can make them dangerous to eat. Children can ingest soil containing these metals whilst rain can wash the ash into underground water and surface water, contaminating drinking water and food.

Are there any dangers of open burning?

It contributes to air pollution;

Burning plastic, rubber or painted material does not only create an unpleasant smell, it produces a range of poisonous compounds;

Smoke may cause problems for asthmatics, bronchitis patients and people with heart conditions;

Burning waste produces dioxins and furans which cause cancer;

Fire can spread and result in extensive damage to the environment and property.

How can we break the habit of backyard burning?

Here are some simple tips to avoid the need to burn your trash.

1. Reduce

Avoid generating waste by buying only what you need, buy in bulk and select products with the least packaging.

2. Reuse

Buy products that can be re-used and/or come in containers that can be refilled.

3. Recycle

Pre-sorting waste at home makes it easy to transfer recyclables to recycling companies. Play your part as a recycling conscious consumer by buying recycled products.

4. Compost

Compost all biodegradable waste, the accumulation of waste at poorly designed landfills contributes to air pollution by releasing methane. In Zimbabwe 90 percent of our waste is biodegradable, composting this would greatly reduce the amount of waste we generate.

KEEP FIREFIGTING EQUIPMENT AT AN ACCESSIBLE PLACE THROUGHOUT THE FIRE SEASON.

Environmental Facts, Tips and Updates are published weekly by the Environmental Management Agency. Send your feedback to; [email protected], like us on facebook and twitter or visit our website www.ema.co.zw Alternatively, call us on: Tel 04-305543 and Toll-free 08080028; or use our Whatsapp platform 0779565707. We are ready to listen.