Open waste burning poses grave threat to public health, experts warn 

ISLAMABAD: An expert panel of speakers at a recent online forum pointed out that the rampant practice of openly burning agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste has emerged as a serious threat to air quality and public health, leading to the onset of smog, especially in Islamabad and Lahore, calling for raising awareness among communities to sensitise them about the gravity of the issue.

Hazardous emissions, containing particulate matter, dioxins, and Volatile Organic Compounds, are fueling the formation of smog, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular ailments among the residents of these areas.

Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Institute of Urbanism (IoU) and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) recently collaborated to host a virtual discussion event on X (formerly Twitter) Space. The objective of the event was to shed light on the impact of open waste burning on smog, emphasising its perilous consequences for health and the environment.

Cities like Islamabad, grappling with an annual municipal waste production of 48.5 million tons, are confronted with significant challenges in managing waste sustainably. Inefficient waste collection strategies lead to waste accumulation and open burning, particularly in areas lacking proper waste management services.

The widespread practice of open waste burning is observed across various cities in Pakistan, yet a dearth of documented data obscures the identification of areas where this practice poses the most significant problems and the underlying reasons for burning municipal waste.

In her opening remarks, Ayesha Majid, Senior Program Coordinator at IoU, disclosed that a recent survey conducted in Islamabad and Lahore revealed that a majority of respondents were unaware of existing laws against open waste burning and the associated environmental and health hazards.

She pointed out that open waste burning constitutes a major source of toxic gases and black carbon, occurring in various settings without clear regulations and enforcement.

Dr Mansoor Ali, RAE's Theme Lead, detailed the organisation’s efforts for addressing this issue through 19 global projects, focusing on vulnerable groups and advocating for improved waste management, citizen reporting, and regulatory enforcement. RAE acknowledges the connection between waste burning and livelihoods, especially for waste pickers.

He regretted that Lahore, once called the "city of gardens," has transformed into a "gas chamber" over the past decade, witnessing a troubling 75pc reduction in greenery and a significant 10-degree rise in temperature, adding that approximately 60pc of diseases in Punjab’s capital are now linked to air pollution.

Environmental activist Imrana Tiwana spoke about her campaign the Lahore Bachao Tehreek, aimed at addressing the escalating issue of smog in the city.

She warned that exposure to pollutants from open waste burning, particularly during the smog season, poses severe health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems, skin and eye irritation, increased cancer risk, and compromised immune systems. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and low-income communities, face higher risks, she added.

Dr Abdullah Najam, a Postgraduate Resident Pulmonologist at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), elaborated how toxic air exacerbates existing health conditions, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular complications across diverse demographic groups.

He mentioned that in Islamabad routine waste collection of 600 to 700 tons occurred, with the disposal site situated in the I-12 sector from 2011 until the previous year. He noted that the air quality aggravates in winter as citizens lit fires to keep warm. He stressed the urgent need for public awareness campaigns to curb open waste burning, especially in rural areas of Islamabad.

Sardar Khan Zimri, former director general of the Sanitation Department and current Director General of Water Management at the Capital Development Authority, underscored the importance of targeted awareness campaigns to effectively address this issue and reduce environmental and health risks associated with open burning in the region.

He said Karachi faces the daily challenge of managing 15,000 tons of municipal solid waste, leading to open burning issues in low-income areas. The Karachi School of Business and Leadership’s (KSBL) 'Mapping of Open Burning' project aims to link these incidents with social vulnerabilities using spatial mapping and key analytical tools. 

Simultaneously, impactful media coverage can draw attention to the correlation between open burning and smog, prompting communities to reconsider waste disposal practices and encouraging municipalities to implement cleaner alternatives, fostering positive change.

Shiza Aslam, Waste Management Specialist and Research Fellow at KSBL, stressed the importance of addressing the issue of open waste burning, which results in health deterioration and environmental degradation. The lack of awareness and understanding about the impacts of toxins produced due to burning is often the root cause, she pointed out.