Suburban
GLEN Lorne residents are facing serious air pollution problems as one of the property owners in the neighbourhood has been burning old car tyres since last week on Friday.
Suburban Reporter
The residents said that the property owner who lives along Glen Lorne Drive has apparently been intermittently lighting and putting off fires using car tyres.
It is understood that the property owner along Glen Lorne Drive is putting on the fires to crack rocks in their yard but to the detriment of the health of neighbours.
The residents are seeking assistance on how to deal with the problems of air pollution, uncontrolled vending and developments in the suburb as well as how to clean up the neighbourhood.
Burning rubber releases thick black smoke that stays in the air for long periods of time. The smoke contains several toxic pollutants including carbon monoxide, butadiene and styrene which all pose danger for the environment and public health, according to www.elaw.org.
“Styrene is a benzene derivative and burning tyres releases styrene and several benzene compounds. Butadiene is a highly carcinogenic four-carbon compound that may be released from the styrene-butadiene polymer form during combustion,” www.elaw.org says.
Residents also complained that the City of Harare has generally neglected Glen Lorne with all sorts of illegal activities including vending now rife in the area.
“Good morning. Please may you help or let us know who can help us. This fire has been lit on and off since Friday evening. It is at a house along Glen Lorne Drive. They are burning tyres apparently to crack rocks. It is very detrimental to the health of the community. This area seems to have been abandoned by the council – no controls of vendors, buildings in the area. It has become an absolute eye sore. How do we get help to stop this and clean up the area?” Glen Lorne residents wrote to Ward 18 Councillor Ian Makone.
According to the Environmental Management Agency, open burning also contributes to ground level ozone pollution, also known as smog which can worsen respiratory, heart and other existing health problems.
It can also lead to eye, nose and throat irritation, damage to the central nervous system among other effects. Environmentally, smog inhibits plant growth and can cause widespread damage to crops and forests.
Vegetation plays a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing the oxygen that we breathe, if we destroy it through excessive pollution we put ourselves at great risk. Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas which drives global warming. Ash residue from burning can contain toxic metals such as mercury, lead, chromium, and arsenic. Unaware of the potential danger some people scatter ash in their gardens or bury it in their properties. Garden vegetables can absorb these chemicals, making them dangerous to eat.
Children can ingest soil containing these metals whilst rain can wash the ash into underground water and surface water, contaminating drinking water and food.
What are the dangers of open burning?
It contributes to air pollution; Burning plastic, rubber or painted material does not only create an unpleasant smell, it produces a range of poisonous compounds; Smoke may cause problems for asthmatics, bronchitis patients and people with heart conditions; Fire can spread and result in extensive damage to the environment and property.
The Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27) states that everyone has a right to live in a clean safe and healthy environment.
It is therefore our duty as citizens to ensure that we uphold this right so as not infringe on other citizens’ enjoyment of this right.
The Act also gives us a duty to protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations; averting air pollution is one of the ways of doing so.
Remember you share the same air with everyone in your community. Individuals, industrialists, companies and developers are not allowed to emit substances which cause substantial air pollution (that is, by the emission of substances in excess of prescribed amount for a particular source) in contradiction of emission standards established under the EMA.
The polluter is liable to imprisonment for a period of not more than five years or to a fine not exceeding level 14 nor to both such fine and such imprisonment.
In addition to any sentence or fine imposed on the polluter, he or she must pay the cost of the removal of pollution, including any cost which may be incurred by any government agency in the restoration of the environment damaged or destroyed as a result of the emission.
The polluter is also required to render reparation, restoration, restitution or compensation to third parties affected by the offence as determined by the court upon application by such third parties.
