When
you see scattered dried leaves in your backyard, what do you do? Do you burn
it? Put it on a trash? Or you just ignore it?
In Philippines, most people,
particularly in rural areas still do open burning. According to
airdefenders.org, open burning is any open flame exposed to the environment
where pollutants produced from the fire are emitted directly into the
surrounding air. This includes the burning of leaves, wood and trash. Open
burning is a very common, yet very unhealthy method of garbage disposal
Beside from unawareness of its
consequences, open burning is a habit for most of us which came from our
parents and grandparents that it becomes hardly to break. It brings a serious
harm to public health and an environmental threat in both rural and urban
communities as observed by the EcoWaste Coalition. Burning leaves emits carbon monoxide and benzopyrene that
discharge particulate matter or very small particles of dust, soot and liquids
suspended in air that travel to our body system and may cause headaches, eye
irritation; impair respiratory functions and even cancers. It will not only
bring harm to our own body but also to our neighbors who can forcedly breathe
in the polluted air.
It is also against the law. In
the R.A. 9003 – the prohibition of burning of wastes and requires ecological
management of discards that will not harm the environment. Violators can be
fined from Php300 to Php1000 or imprisoned from 1 to 15 days, or both.
Moreover, it can be prevented or
avoided by doing alternative ways of disposing, emphasizing the need to consume
responsibly. Fallen leaves and yard trimmings for instance, could be turned
into compost to enhance soil fertility and health.
“For healthier neighborhoods, let
us not litter, burn or dump any trash. Let us rekindle the bayanihan (communal spirit) to build Zero Waste communities”
appealed by the EcoWaste Coalition.
Source:
http://www.airdefenders.org
Source:
http://www.airdefenders.org
