Don’t Burn Waste in The Open

We celebrate the festival of Holi by burning a pile of wooden logs, cow dung cakes, and other wastes including plastic and tyres. But do we realize that open burning of waste emits air contaminants directly into the atmosphere, polluting the air and posing a health hazard? The air pollution created by open-air burning can irritate eyes and lungs, obscure visibility, soil nearby surfaces, create annoying odours, and pose a danger to those with respiratory problems. Burning of plastic and rubber release cancer-causing dioxins, while that of batteries releases heavy metals like lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury. Moreover, the leftover ash contains toxic residue.

Open burning should, thus, be discontinued. Bulk purchases should be resorted to as also reduced packaging. Alternate uses for extra material should be explored or it is donated. Newspaper, aluminum, plastics, etc sent for recycling. Refuse plastic carry bags. Instead, carry paper or cloth bags which can be used repeatedly.

Avoid air pollution. Breathe healthily.