On
Behalf Of Dr
Lisa Marabini awaretrust@gmail.com
Autumn is here, the leaves are falling and already an
alarming number of residential bonfires are being set. Choking on an
inconsiderate neighbour's leaf smoke is more than just an irritation: it can
pose serious health risks. The open burning of leaves produces particulate
matter and hydrocarbons (similar to those found in tobacco smoke), which
contain a number of toxic, irritant, and carcinogenic (cancer-causing)
compounds, as well as carbon monoxide.
1. The
particulate matter consists of tiny particles (<10 2.5="" ability="" air.="" air="" also="" and="" are="" as="" asthma="" attacks.="" attacks="" blood="" breathing="" can="" cause="" chances="" concern="" deepest="" for="" heart="" impair="" increase="" infection="" inhaled="" lead="" less="" lung="" lungs="" matter="" microns="" months.="" most="" of="" particles="" particulate="" penetrate="" reach="" reduce="" regions="" remain="" respiratory="" span="" strokes.="" than="" that="" the="" there="" these="" to="" trigger="" use="" vessels="" volume="">
· 2. Because leaves are often moist
and burn without proper air circulation (those insidious smouldering fires that
last all night!), they often burn poorly, producing high levels of
hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are chemicals, e.g. aldehydes and ketones, that can
cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and can cause cancer in
the long term.
· 3. Carbon monoxide is an invisible
gas that results from incomplete combustion in burning leaf piles. Carbon
monoxide is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs and combines with
red blood cells. This reduces the amount of oxygen the red blood cells can
absorb and supply to body tissues. Unborn children, newborn infants, smokers,
the elderly, and persons with heart and chronic lung disease are the most
susceptible to carbon monoxide.
Additionally, burning organic matter also releases
carbon dioxide into the air which can contribute to global warming and climate
change. Current CO2 levels in the world are 391 parts per million (ppm), a
whopping 111ppm greater than pre-industrial levels of 280ppm!
We need to take protecting our air quality seriously.
I'm sure nobody wants to don respirators just to go outside as residents have
to do in Beijing. Our children may well be faced with that prospect if we do
not do something. There are 7 billion people that we share this planet
with, and we each need to make sure we are not part of the problem.
The eco-friendly alternative of disposing leaves is to
make compost. Composting is a simple process that involves placing yard
trimmings and other organic materials such as vegetable peelings into a pile or
bin. Microorganisms gradually break down the yard trimmings. The process is
speeded up by watering the compost heap and turning it occasionally to mix in
oxygen. You can cover with plastic once watered to keep the moisture in. Use
the compost to enrich your soil - your plants will love it.
Also, don't
be afraid to educate your neighbours on the hazards of leaf burning. Awareness
is needed.
GOOD AIR
QUALITY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY!
Dr Lisa
Marabini
BVSc, MRCVS
Director, AWARE
Trust
Cell: 0712
886650
