Stop! Garbage burning could be killing you!

Garbage being burnt in Bhiwandi where a dump showed the highest level of PM2.5

Rampant garbage burning along the highways in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad is posing a huge threat to people's health. A survey by the Awaaz Foundation to measure PM2.5 at some of these sites, has found that pollution levels had a direct co-relation with the size of the garbage dump being burnt. A dump at Bhiwandi showed the highest level of PM2.5.

Air pollution is measured by quantifying total suspended Particulate Matter identified by the size of the particles. PM2.5 are minute particles of 2.5 micrograms or smaller. These particles contain a mixture of solids and liquids and include acids such as sulfates and nitrates, ammonium, carbon and mineral dust. The PM2.5 recorded at Bhiwandi was 612µ/mg3 (µ - microgram, mg3 - per cubic meter) while the permissible amount is 20µ/mg3.

Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation recently wrote to Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray highlighting the menace of garbage burning. Since 2016, Awaaz has documented numerous sites where garbage is burnt in Panvel, Dharamtar, Poynad, Chondi, Alibaug city centre, Bhiwandi, Kalher and in Thane District.

A common sight

According to Awaaz Foundation, in the absence of adequate municipal systems for disposal, heaps of garbage lining roadsides is a common sight in Maharashtra, and burning it is the easiest form of disposal.

Sumaira Abdulali measures the air pollution in Bhiwandi

Abdulali said, "Maharashtra, at 1.4 lakh, has the second highest air-pollution related deaths in India. Numerous heaps of burning garbage which are ubiquitous along roadsides in areas surrounding Mumbai are not identified as part of any specific initiative. These garbage dumps consist of mixed bio-mass and plastic and are a major contributing source of localised air pollution," said Abdulali.

Localised danger

She further said that localised air pollution sources kill people even though they may not increase overall AQI level of a larger area to 'severe' levels due to weather patterns. "Burning plastic is especially toxic and can cause respiratory disease, cancer, liver failure and other diseases. The ICMR report (published on December 22, 2020, on air pollution control initiatives in India) contains shocking data about premature air pollution related deaths in Maharashtra, at 1,39,118 people comprising 16.7% of overall deaths," she added. She has sought time to meet the minister to discuss a plan to tackle air pollution.

Why PM is dangerous

Particulate matter (also called particle pollution) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. The size of particles is directly linked to their potential to cause health problems. Those less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get into the lungs, and the bloodstream. Coarse particles (PM10-2.5) can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. PM may cause cardiovascular effects such as cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory effects.