Now that the authorities have finally been moved to take action against the dangers of cigarette smoke in public places, the time is right to move on to another source of smoke in public spaces, which poses as great a danger to the health of the hapless inhalers. This is the smoke produced, especially in rural settlements, by citizens who insist on burning their cut grass, fallen leaves and twigs. This smoke is particularly hazardous, since it is released at ground level in populated areas. In the US, the Washington State Department of Ecology confirmed the assertions that smoke from burning yard waste can be just as harmful as cigarette smoke.
It has always been known that smoke from fires pollutes the air, and can harm both the environment and humans who inhale it. But according to recent research, smoke from crop and grass fires appears to contain higher levels of some hazardous nitrogen-containing chemicals than wood fire smoke. The results confirmed findings from laboratory studies showing that smoke from wood fires generally carries less nitrogen than smoke from crop and grass fires.
Atmospheric scientists at the “Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder” showed from active field interventions that “burning vegetation results in emissions of nitrogen-containing, volatile organic compounds, called NVOCs, among other chemicals, into Earth’s atmosphere. Two types of NVOCs, hydrogen cyanide and isocyanic acid, can cause inflammatory responses in human lungs. Nitrogen oxides, which react in the air to produce pollutants like ozone that are harmful to air quality, are also released when plants are burned.”
Even more chemicals are released – including particulate matter, most of them smaller than 10 microns and easily absorbed in the lungs — when burning yard waste is damp, as the waste burns slowly. Unfortunately, the burning of damp yard waste is prevalent in Guyana, where very few homeowners take the time to allow the grass to become very dry. Most have no compunction to adding – literally and figuratively as fuel to the fire — plastic and Styrofoam cups. They have no concern that neighbours may experience asthma attacks or other respiratory issues as a result of inhalation of the smoke. This is particularly harmful for the elderly, the young, and people with conditions such as emphysema or bronchitis. In some cases, toxins remain in the human body for many years.
More than two years ago, the Ministry of Communities launched “Green Generation Guyana” (#GreenGenerationGy), a public education campaign designed to promote improved solid-waste management in the home and community. The promulgators of this commendable campaign of the Government, one hoped, would have taken into consideration this form of pollution from burning yard waste and suggested ways to prevent it. The production of compost from the yard waste, for instance, would be a most effective route, since this would eliminate the waste in a non-harmful manner and at the same time enrich the soil. Sadly, not much has come out of this high-priced initiative.
Not many persons realise that setting of fires in public spaces is against the law, and must only be done in coordination with our Fire Department. Three weeks ago, fire set to grass in the GPSU ground forced dozens of schoolchildren to hospitals. Last week it was reported that the Fire Department was called out several times in response to residents burning yard waste on the Essequibo Coast; but, in both instances, it was not clear whether the perpetrators were charged or fined for their infractions. There needs to be clarity in the laws regarding burning yard waste, followed by publicising and enforcement of those laws.
A model that can be used is the “GRASS FIRES ACT” of Kenya, which was updated in 2012. A perusal of its sections would give an idea of the ground to be covered: “Burning of vegetation without authority; Notice to be given before burning vegetation; Power to prohibit burning of vegetation; Burning of vegetation by employees; Liability of servant; Arrest and General penalty.”
