reminder! Burning garbage with a Jāņi bonfire is dangerous to both health and the environment-BalticNewsNetwork

One of the traditional rituals of Jāņi’s celebration is to light a bonfire. However, observations have shown that residents often decide to use bonfires as a means of disposing of various types of garbage, the burning of which causes considerable pollution to the environment and affects people’s health.

Burning garbage in a fire is a violation of the government.

«Traditional Jāņi fires are lit by the highest peaks, illuminating the surrounding area, symbolically promoting the fertility of the fields and protecting them from evil and illness. Tradition still exists. However, the actual impact of Jāņi’s fire on the environment is changing today. Instead of fertility, health and protection, throwing things that residents shouldn’t put on fire often causes health problems and pollution, “says Laima Kubriņa, head of Zaļājosta.

During the Jāņi festival, bonfire-burning trash types include plastic wrap and disposable tableware.

For example, a seemingly harmless material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), burns at temperatures above 1000 ° C, but has an average bonfire temperature of no more than 300-400 ° C. When the PVC material is partially decomposed, chlorine compounds and dioxins are released into the atmosphere. Moreover, these compounds are harmful to people’s health when inhaled. The environment is suffering as well. These compounds are also part of the dangerous and persistent organic pollutants that settle in the soil and penetrate deep into groundwater when it rains. This creates environmental risks and impacts people’s health in the long run.

As a result, organic pollutants accumulate in living organisms through the plants we consume as food. Representatives of Zaļāsjosta explain that as it accumulates in the body, the compounds produced from incomplete combustion cause a variety of diseases, damaging the endocrine and reproductive systems and increasing the risk of tumors. ..

Disposable polystyrene dishes are no longer sold, but polystyrene is used for food packaging.

When polystyrene is thrown into the fire, it releases organic bromide compounds that affect the reproductive system and accumulates in adipose tissue to become breast milk.

Residents often throw dangerous pollutants such as car tires, inflatable mattresses, and used batteries into the fire. It should be emphasized that burning potentially dangerous items in a fire is equally dangerous to human health and the environment. For example, tires and other rubber products release organic sulfur and inorganic compounds that cause respiratory irritation and choking. This is especially dangerous for asthma patients.

It is also dangerous to throw used batteries into a fire.

When the acids and other chemicals stored in the batter burn, dangerous compounds are released into the atmosphere and stay in the ash and soil for years. The location of such a contaminated bonfire can no longer be used to fry potatoes. When the battery burns, the frame explodes and there is a risk of serious chemical burns around the fire.

Residents need to notify the city police of cases of waste incineration. Improper management of waste, including combustion, is a punishable crime, with fines of up to € 1,000 for individuals and up to € 2800 for corporations.

This is why Zaļājosta encourages residents not to throw everything they have into the fire and to pay attention to the health and environment of themselves and others. To avoid problematic situations, Kubriņa recommends preparing for a vacation in advance. «To reduce the amount of waste generated, residents need to think about how much to put on the table. All holiday visitors need to plan what each supplies to avoid excessive food waste. When preparing meals, residents are required to bring regular dishes rather than buying ready-made meals. »»