Researchers call for an end to burning of plastic, e-waste

‘Some materials contain carcinogens’

By Ifham Nizam

Plastic-coated wires, tyres and electronic waste continue to be burnt countrywide, but no action is taken against the polluters, environmentalists complain.

Researchers of the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) have pointed out that plastic is burnt haphazardly, and people are exposed to toxic fumes. Garbage piles, collected by municipalities or local councils, also catch fire causing air pollution, they have said.

 “It is clear that the students of Panadura Royal Junior College suddenly fell ill last Wednesday not due to a spontaneous fire,” the research team has said

Nearly 40 children were hospitalised due the inhalation of toxic smoke.

“A teacher of the school told us that six children are currently undergoing treatment at the Panadura Hospital. In a land near the school, plastic wires and tires were set on fire to obtain salable items including copper wires,” the research team added.

CEJ Director and Senior Advisor Hemantha Withanage said that burning of even organic pollutants in the open environment should be avoided under any circumstances.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins and furans are among the toxic chemicals that are usually released into the air when plastic waste is burnt, according to the researchers.

Withanage also said that among the government agencies responsible were the Central Environmental Authority, the Office of the Medical Officer of Health of the area and the Environmental Police Unit.

Regulation No. 1 of 2017 effective under the National Environmental Act prohibits the open burning of garbage and other combustible materials including plastics. It says:

* No person shall allow or permit the open burning of garbage or other combustible materials, including plastics.

* Any person who fails to comply with the above regulations shall be liable to an offence and liable to the following penalties under Section 31 of the National Environment Act No. 47 of 1980.

The public complains that often municipal garbage collectors refuse to remove inorganic waste unless they are paid for it.

A person found guilty by Magistrate’s Court of the aforesaid offence may be imprisoned for a term not exceeding two years and/or fined Rs 1,500. E-waste contains very harmful “persistent pollutants”, according to the CEJ researchers.

“These types of plastics contain Endocrine Disruptive Chemicals (EDCs), carcinogens, etc., so we strongly remind you that these should not be burned in the open under any circumstances,” Withanage added.

He also said that indifference towards environmental protection had led to many problems.

“Institutions responsible for preventing environmental pollution should take steps to immediately stop such illegal burning of plastic, etc.,” he stressed.