Burning trash is dangerous to public health and the
environment. This was the reminder of the Eco Waste Coalition as the country
once again marks the Fire Prevention Month in March.
"We join the Bureau of Fire Protection in raising public
awareness and action to prevent fires. Being an environmental group, we would
like draw attention to the hazards of open burning and the availability of
ecological alternatives to burning trash," said Rei Panaligan, coordinator of
Eco Waste coalition.
Despite being outlawed by RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid
Waste Management Act of 2000, open buring remains a serious public health and
environmental threat in both urban and rural communities, observed the Eco Waste
Coalition.
Open burning goes unchecked in dumpsites, farmlands,
backyards an even in streets parks. Unknown to many, the deliberate or
spontaneous burning of discards is like a "silent killer," discharging minuscule
pollutants that can trigger headaches, irritate the eyes, throat and skin,
impair respiratory functions and even cause cancers.
The Eco Waste Coalition identified some of the toxins discharged from burning
commonly discarded household items. Burning plastics and chlorinated papers, for
instance, releases dioxins, halogenated carbons and volatile organic compounds.
Burning batteries discharges heavy metals like cadmium, lead and mercury, while
burning leaves emits carbon monoxide and benzopyrene.
