Garbage burning and your health

Dr. Douglas Street,  Contributor

The smoke created from the burning of garbage is really a nuisance. It can reduce visibility, cause the production of particles which settle on all surfaces and cause clothes to have an odour. Even more importantly, however, it can have a significant and negative impact on our health, both in the long and short terms.

Garbage might be burnt in a backyard or in a landfill. The impact that it has will depend on what is burnt and how widespread is the area affected. The burning of some dry leaves will not affect persons as much as the burning of plastic and hazardous chemicals. Household waste is less likely to contain hazardous material than waste in a landfill.

For communities that are in proximity to landfills, there is a constant threat posed by the burning of the waste there. Communities in Montego Bay and Kingston have recently suffered from the effects of the burning of the waste in the landfills, which went on for protracted periods of time as the authorities were not able bring them under control quickly.

MANY AFFECTED

Of course, not only the members of the communities would have been affected, but also the personnel mandated to bring the situation under control.

The open burning of this type of waste produces many types of harmful airborne substances. Carbon monoxide causes dizziness, headaches, slowed reflexes, reduced alertness and mental function and visual acuity. Aldehydes cause headaches and irritation of the eyes and respiratory system. Chlorofluorocarbons may also cause headache, dizziness, and slowed reflexes.

Dioxins and furans are very toxic and may cause cancer and growth defects, and can impair the immune and reproductive systems. Heavy metals may accumulate in the body, poisoning the central nervous system and disrupting the hormonal systems, which may then affect the growth and development of children. They also affect the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Hydrochloric acid can cause irritation of the airways and lungs and dull the body's senses. Volatile organic compounds can cause cancer, nervous system disorders, and long- and short-term lung diseases.

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons may also cause cancer in humans and animals. Hydrogen sulphide, ozone, nitric oxides, sulphur oxides, and particulate matter can cause irritation of the airways, leading to shortness of breath, sore throat, fluid collection in the lungs, and even permanent damage to the lungs.

It is, therefore, very important that these fires be controlled and/or prevented.