Open burning of waste threatens public health – Health Director
Open burning of household waste is exposing Ghanaians to harmful pollutants and increasing their risk of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, the Municipal Health Director of La-Dadekotopon, Dr Caryn Agyeman Prempeh, has warned. She said vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children and people with underlying health conditions, were particularly at risk and urged the public to … The…
A Municipal Health Director in Ghana has cautioned that open burning of household waste is endangering citizens' health by releasing harmful pollutants into the air. Dr Caryn Agyeman Prempeh, speaking at a community event in La-Dadekotopon, warned that vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children and those with pre-existing health issues are especially susceptible to the risks associated with poor air quality.
The health official urged residents to dispose of waste through proper channels rather than resorting to open burning, stating that the smoke from such fires does not remain contained, but rather becomes part of the shared air that everyone breathes.
Dr Prempeh emphasized that these exposures can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, making it more difficult for at-risk individuals to cope. In a two-year initiative called the "Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life" campaign, organizations Infinity 970 and Breathe Cities are working to educate Accra residents about the dangers of air pollution and open waste burning.
The campaign's Portfolio Manager, Dr Elvis Kyere-Gyeabour, revealed that air pollution levels in Ghana are estimated to be approximately five times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended levels. Open waste burning is cited as a major contributor to this pollution, along with vehicle exhaust, household energy use, industrial processes, and road dust.
She stressed that collective action is needed to enforce environmental regulations banning open waste burning, as it poses a significant public health challenge. Residents were encouraged to report any concerns about air pollution and open waste burning to a newly launched toll-free number, 0579724072, and to volunteer as air pollution ambassadors to raise awareness and help identify and report offenders.
Written by urgent.news from Ghanaian Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
