The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board appeals to the public not to throw polluting materials such as plastic, rubber, electronic waste, or items with chemical coatings into the Bhogi bonfires, but to use only traditional dry leaves, firewood, or agricultural waste.
Statement by Dr. P. Krishnaiah, Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
BY RAJA PENTAPATI
AP BUREAU CHIEF
NATIONAL NEWSAmaravati, January 10 (Bharat News) AP
Bhogi festival is a day of joy, tradition, and sharing happiness. Let’s celebrate this festival in an environmentally friendly way – let’s protect the environment by not throwing hazardous waste into the Bhogi bonfires, appeals Dr. P. Krishnaiah, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, to the people of the AP state. In winter, dust particles usually remain stagnant in the air and, in the form of fog, cause some harm to people’s health. In addition to this, lighting Bhogi bonfires and burning waste increases air pollution and deteriorates air quality.
Many people, knowingly or unknowingly, throw hazardous materials such as tires, plastic items, flex banners, painted furniture, and electronic waste (e-waste) into the bonfires during the festival.
When these types of materials are burned, toxic gases such as dioxins, furans, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, lead, cadmium, and mercury are released into the atmosphere. These substances pose a risk of dangerous diseases to everyone, from young children to adults. There is a risk of developing lung-related diseases, respiratory problems, worsening of asthma and allergies, eye irritation, itching in the nose and throat, heart-related problems, and in the long term, even cancer.
Furthermore, these toxic gases severely pollute the environment, degrading air quality and disrupting the ecological balance. Therefore, Dr. P. Krishnaiah is urging everyone to celebrate the Bhogi festival by using only dry leaves, firewood, or agricultural waste in the bonfires, and to refrain from burning plastic, rubber, electronic waste, or items coated with chemicals.
Similarly, he requests that people avoid burning old household waste on the roads and instead hand it over to the municipal waste collection vehicles, cooperating with the municipal staff. He appeals to the public to ensure that the joy of the festival does not harm their health or the environment.
He urges everyone to act responsibly for clean air and a healthy life. He says that through such preventive measures, air pollution can be prevented, and public health and the environment can be protected.
Bharat News Andhra Pradesh
