A waste and pollution watchdog warned Wednesday against the burning of used tires and trash during the New Year revelry to prevent toxic pollutants from endangering the public's health, climate and environment. The EcoWaste Coalition appealed for public vigilance against “open burning” as the whole country gears up to welcome 2010. “Burning up worn tires on New Year's eve and setting firecracker wrappings, used boga (PVC cannons), plastics and other discards on fire after the festivities are unhealthy as well as unlawful,” said EcoWaste Coalition President Manny Calonzo. He said open burning is unhealthy because it releases toxic pollutants that can cause shortness of breath and headaches, infuriate the eyes, throat and skin, cause lung irritation and congestion, and trigger cancers and other life-threatening health issues. The most notorious among these pollutants are dioxins, a proven human carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, that can cause cancers and other serious disorders. “We would like to remind the public that used tires become a toxic waste when they are set in flames,” Calonzo said, adding that burning tires also releases a toxic soup of pollutant including lead and mercury.
