Warning! Burning Waste Poses a Threat to Heart Health
Who isn’t enchanted by the beauty of Islamabad? Both locals and foreigners alike enjoy its lush greenery. Stepping into the large sectors of Islamabad, one is greeted by a clean environment that pleases the heart. It feels like there’s no sign of filth; flowers and greenery abound, providing solace to the mind. The Margalla Hills enhance Islamabad’s charm with its verdant magical beauty. Everyone longs to spend time in such a clean environment, and this vision is often applied to the entirety of Islamabad.
They say, “A happy heart makes everything look good.” But heart health isn’t just about fulfilling our small desires; it’s also profoundly linked to our environment. The heart should not only be happy but also healthy, which requires a balanced diet along with a clean environment. Pollution and dirty surroundings significantly affect our health, our hearts, and our minds. You may not have felt the impact of the environment on your heart because you haven’t seriously considered it, but now think, reflect, and take the environment seriously, as your heart’s health is at risk. How? I’ll explain.
Did you know that the large and small sectors of Islamabad are responsible for tons of waste on a daily basis? According to a report from the Ministry of Climate Change and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, an average person generates 0.74 kilograms of waste daily. I investigated the types of waste produced in Islamabad and then contacted Farzana Altaf Shah, the Director General of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, who provided detailed insights about the environment of Islamabad. She first explained that there are four types of waste:
1. Municipal Waste
Municipal waste is the garbage generated daily from homes and markets. It contains a significant amount of plastic waste, which leads to the release of carcinogenic gases. When plastic waste is burned, extremely toxic gases are emitted into the atmosphere, which are not only dangerous but also extremely challenging. These harmful gases affect the liver, kidneys, and lungs, causing respiratory diseases and skin disorders. Farzana Altaf Shah noted that in rural areas, many women use plastic waste to start their stoves to burn wood easily, completely unaware that by cooking on fires made from burning plastic, they are poisoning their food. She mentioned that plastic is entirely worthless waste that no one collects, and burning garbage is common, especially in rural areas.
2. Horticultural Waste
Horticultural waste refers to the organic material generated during gardening activities. It includes waste from pruning plants, cleaning, and other maintenance activities. This waste is associated with various types of plants, trees, and land maintenance, including leaves and grass. When leaves fall from trees or grass is cut, this material is included in horticultural waste. Additionally, twigs and branches trimmed from trees and plants are part of this waste. Flowers and fruits that are damaged or fallen, which cannot be used, are also considered horticultural waste. Lastly, vegetables and herbs that are wasted or overgrown are disposed of as waste. Occasionally, extra soil, fertilizer, and organic material cleaned from the ground may also be included. This waste can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly, although it can also be positively utilized by creating compost to enhance soil fertility. However, most leaves and twigs are burned, particularly noticeable during autumn when fallen branches and leaves are scattered across the ground.
3. Industrial Waste
The waste collected from various factories often leads to questions about why action has been taken against certain industries or why factories are shut down. First, let’s understand how industries contribute to environmental pollution. Industrial waste is the refuse or garbage produced during industrial activities. This waste can come in various forms and is discharged from different industries, such as factories, manufacturing units, chemical industries, and energy plants. Industrial waste includes solid waste, which consists of solid refuse generated from various industries, such as metal scraps, plastic waste, paper and cardboard, glass fragments, fabric or textile waste, wood, and construction materials.
Following this is liquid waste, which is waste in liquid form discharged from various industries, such as chemical substances, discarded materials from dyes and paints, oil and grease, and toxic water left over from various industrial processes.
Lastly, industrial waste includes gas and air waste, which is released into the environment in the form of gas or smoke, such as the smoke emitted from factories and chemical gases. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide contribute to toxic air that is extremely harmful to human health.
Farzana Altaf Shah also mentioned that some industrial waste can be recycled, including metals, plastics, glass, paper, and cardboard.
4. E-Waste
E-waste, or electronic waste, is the refuse created from used or broken electronic devices and their components. This includes computers, mobile phones, TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, printers, batteries, and other electronic products that are either outdated or no longer usable due to damage. Faulty batteries and their chargers also fall under e-waste. E-waste contains lead, mercury, cadmium, and other toxic substances that can harm the environment and human health. Farzana Altaf Shah noted that scrap dealers buy this waste to extract metals, and in some cases, e-waste is burned to recover precious metals like gold, silver, copper, and platinum. However, this method poses environmental and health risks due to the toxic gases and smoke produced during the burning process. She also mentioned that the burning of vehicle tires is also practiced, but we can discuss this in detail another time.
In any case, teams are organized daily to collect waste from the large sectors of Islamabad and transport it away, but the question remains: where does this collected waste go? The smaller or developing sectors of Islamabad lack facilities for the daily collection of waste, leading to its accumulation in street corners and intersections, where it is burned. This burning waste contributes to air pollution and smog. According to the Ministry of Climate Change, there is currently no landfill site in Islamabad where waste can be disposed of and eliminated. Despite prohibitions, the practice of burning waste remains common.
The burning waste at various locations in the capital is rapidly becoming a source of environmental pollution. Inquiries into institutional policies regarding this issue led to Farzana Altaf Shah stating that the ministry has prepared the Clean Air Policy 2023, addressing the burning of solid waste and other sources of air pollution. Legal actions have been taken in this regard, including the closure of six small non-industrial units in Kahuta, including H-13, for burning plastic waste, and two large units near B-17 in Sangjani that were burning tires for fuel. With the help of the Islamabad administration, a ban has been imposed on burning solid waste under Section 144, and six individuals were arrested last year for violating this law. Various hospitals, including PIMS, NESCOM, CDA, and the Federal Hospital, were also issued legal notices. Additionally, binocular cameras have been installed for air monitoring in the industrial areas of I-9 and I-10; however, these cameras monitor industrial areas while garbage continues to be burned near residential areas, especially during menstrual periods when sanitary pads are openly burned in garbage, leading to increased health issues.
When I spoke to Romina Khurshid Alam, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Climate and Environmental Change, she stated that Islamabad now follows a zero-tolerance policy. Action will be taken against those contributing to environmental degradation. Policies are in place, and more legislation is being developed because burning waste is not only causing air pollution but also destroying the future of the coming generations. We must prevent the burning of this waste and take practical steps. Romina Khurshid Alam added that Pakistan is already severely affected by climate change risks and cannot be subjected to further damage or pollution.
When I contacted doctors to understand the health effects of open waste burning along with environmental issues, it was alarming. We usually consider fatty foods, fried items, and fast food as harmful to health but often overlook the environment. We tend to shift the responsibility of cleanliness of areas around our homes to the government or administration. At PIMS, I met with cardiologist Professor Dr. Akhtar Ali Bandesha, who spoke to 24 News and explained that environmental pollution and climate change are increasing the risk of heart disease. Burning waste, particularly plastic, is extremely harmful to heart health as it affects the arteries. Burning plastics and other toxic materials releases harmful chemicals into the air, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and other poisonous gases. These chemicals enter the lungs during breathing and are absorbed into the blood, affecting heart rhythm and increasing the risk of heart attacks. Prolonged exposure to these gases increases the likelihood of heart disease, high blood pressure, and artery narrowing. Dr. Akhtar Ali Bandesha emphasized the need for public awareness and that the state must also take responsibility by informing citizens of these dangers. Either the state should establish new organizations or activate existing ones to raise awareness. He also suggested imposing fines on those who burn waste.
Burning waste is also very harmful to human skin. For insight on this, I reached out to dermatologist Dr. Mubashir, who declared air pollution hazardous for the skin. He stated that continuous exposure to pollution and dust without proper skin protection can cause itching and inflammation, which, if not treated, can lead to severe infections. He further explained that extreme heat and UV rays can harm the skin, leading to skin cancer. It is vital to protect the skin from air and environmental pollution.
Further research on the harmful effects of environmental changes on the skin revealed that burning waste can have serious negative impacts, especially if it involves toxic materials like plastic or rubber. The smoke and poisonous gases released during waste burning can cause skin irritation and severe burns. The chemicals can also lead to allergic reactions, causing rashes, redness, and bumps on the skin. My own skin has frequently been affected by these chemicals. Dr. Mubashir confirmed that continuous exposure to toxic materials increases the risk of skin infections, particularly in people with sensitive skin. These issues generally affect people living or working near waste-burning areas. Therefore, taking protective measures and disposing of waste properly is essential to avoid these health hazards.
Now, the question arises: if the waste that is causing so much harm is contributing to climate change, what are the alternatives? The first alternative is to establish waste disposal or recycling facilities far from urban populations to protect citizens’ health. Islamabad, with a population of approximately 2.6 million, produces 1,535 tons of solid waste daily, of which only 60 to 70 percent is managed by municipal authorities. The remaining waste is dumped in open landfills. More than seventy years have passed since Pakistan’s independence, and during this time, countless individuals have held the position of CDA chairman. Yet, a site far from the city to dispose of the waste has not been established. Large buildings and housing societies are constructed overnight, but a landfill site remains unbuilt. The issue of a landfill site for solid waste disposal in Islamabad needs to be resolved as a priority. If this problem is not solved, according to the Director-General of Pakistan’s Environmental Protection Agency and health experts, every citizen will face severe health issues due to environmental pollution. Parliament must enforce strict policies to ensure the implementation of environmental laws, and the Municipal Corporation needs to be made functional. Only when the environment remains healthy will the future of Pakistan be secure.
