Emissions
from the burning of unused tyres are a serious threat to human health.
Emissions from burning of unused tyres have been found to cause several health
challenges which include:
from the burning of unused tyres are a serious threat to human health.
Emissions from burning of unused tyres have been found to cause several health
challenges which include:
1. Exposing
children to various risks. Many of these pollutants released from burning of
unused tyres contain toxins of small particles that settle deep in children’s
lungs.
children to various risks. Many of these pollutants released from burning of
unused tyres contain toxins of small particles that settle deep in children’s
lungs.
2. Risk
of cancer and other diseases. Children, fetuses, nursing babies, the elderly,
asthmatics, immune suppressed individuals are all much more vulnerable to
pollutants from the burning of unused tyres.
of cancer and other diseases. Children, fetuses, nursing babies, the elderly,
asthmatics, immune suppressed individuals are all much more vulnerable to
pollutants from the burning of unused tyres.
3. Breast
milk contamination. Organic pollutants on the particles released from burning of
unused tyres will be transferred from a nursing mother’s body into the fat in
her breast milk and into her baby.
milk contamination. Organic pollutants on the particles released from burning of
unused tyres will be transferred from a nursing mother’s body into the fat in
her breast milk and into her baby.
4. Fine
from the burning of unused tyres have been found to cause excess mortality and
hospitalizations for heart disease and cancer.
from the burning of unused tyres have been found to cause excess mortality and
hospitalizations for heart disease and cancer.
However, this danger could be mitigated through the
application of environmental laws such as:
application of environmental laws such as:
1. Unused
tyres should be recycled to be used in asphalt overlays on highways.
tyres should be recycled to be used in asphalt overlays on highways.
2. There
should be strict laws on burning of unused tyres. If they must be burnt, that
should be in controlled burning in tyre incinerators.
should be strict laws on burning of unused tyres. If they must be burnt, that
should be in controlled burning in tyre incinerators.
|
3.
Develop public awareness of the health and safety hazards and the environmental risk of the open burning of unused tyres |
|
|
•
|
4. Minimize the number of unused tryes by extending the
life of tyres. |
|
•
|
5. Establish a specific agency within the ministry of environmental
health in order to regulate and monitor the disposal of unused tyres |
|
•
|
6. Apply the Best Management Practice (BMP) to eliminate
future contamination and air pollution |