Burning waste a threat to our environment and human lives – Expects

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It is very common nowadays to see people burn rubbish all over covering the communities with its smokes.

On ‘Our Future Our Land’ program on Radio 1 (100.7) we dived into the effect of these practices on the environment and on our health.

Speaking with Dr. Lloyd Larbi of the University College of Agricultural and Environmental Studies (UCAES) in Bunso he said that these practices pose a great threat to our environment.

“These practice of burning rubbish everywhere is one cause of air pollution and global warming and it is really affecting the environment. When you expect rain there comes sunshine and when there should be sunshine there comes rain,” Dr. Larbi said.

“Sometimes this rubbish can be put into dustbins for recycling or for safety dumping but you will see people burning them putting our environment to dead,” he added.

Adding more to it DOIII Michael Goerge Koda of the Ghana Fire Service (GFS) said that it is illegal to burn rubbish around.

“In case you want to burn rubbish you have to stand and watch till the rubbish or whatever you are burning to burn down. If you see anybody burning rubbish without the person standing by it you should report the person to the fire service,” he explain.

Touching on the effect on our health Nana Quansah of YNORT Homeopathic Clinic said burning waste can be a nuisance to neighbors and can also pollute the air by releasing harmful chemicals into it.

There may be many toxic chemicals in waste items. Paper waste may contain synthetic materials, preservatives, and even plastics. Disposable nappies contain gels, bleaches, and plastics. Many wood products are treated with toxic chemicals to prevent rot.

“Smoke from burning waste if inhale can affect a man’s manhood which can lead to pre matured ejaculation,” he said.

He further explained that burning of such wastes in low-temperature uncontrolled fires creates toxic and dangerous by-products which are not destroyed by the fire but become airborne on soot particles. These can end up being inhaled or being washed out of the air and deposited onto surrounding soil and vegetation, where they can readily enter the food chain.

Source: Radiooneghana.com/ Michael Agyapong Agyapa