Garbage-Burning Leaves Hyderabad Gasping For Breath

Tonnes of garbage burning in the open has left the city gasping for fresh air amid the toxic smoke laced with hydrocarbons, chlorinated materials and pesticides.

After a detailed study over a prolonged period of time, the Pollution Control Board (PCB) has found that whenever garbage is burnt in the open, the count of suspended particulate matter (SPM) reaches 160-180 m3 units, against the accepted average of 60 m3 units.

“Garbage is supposed to be incinerated at a temperature of 1,100 degree Celsius.But in the open, it is generally burnt at around 300 degree Celsius. 


This leads to the formation of a lot of smog, especially during the winters,“ said Dr W G Prasanna Kumar, social scientist, PCB. Adding to the toxicity are the many destitutes and beggars who resort to burning garbage to make bonfires on wintry nights.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), based on the number of garbage trucks and the number of trips made by them, claims that the city generates close to 600 tonnes of garbage daily. 

However, experts differ, saying the garbage generated is around 2,000 tonnes.

The burning of waste releases a range of harmful gases like hydrogen chloride, arsenic and dioxins, which serve no other purpose than inducing chronic cough and asthma. In extreme cases, these gases can restrict the flow of blood to the brain, say experts.

Meanwhile, meteorological officials say that as wind speed is lower during winters, smog stagnates in a place for much longer periods, directly increasing the pollution level near the ground. If people are continuously exposed to it, the medical implications are plenty.

Talking about the situation in the city, Prasanna Kumar said, “The quantum of waste produced is on the higher side in the city.Therefore, people resort to burning it. But unlike west ern countries, where animal fat and other animal-based products are used on a larger scale, the waste generated here do not have a high calorific value.“ Experts believe that if the content of garbage is taken into consideration, there is extensive scope for composting it.

However, it ultimately boils down to the resolve on the part of the administration to take up such an initiative. With no effective means of disposing garbage, even `safai karamcharis' of the GHMC resort to burning it. Ironically, the garbage is burnt in close vicinity of residential areas.