The mosquitoes and flies surrounding us are getting dirtier day by day and more and more vicious; our air, soil and water are becoming more and more contaminated; the food is becoming toxic and our health is in serious danger.
Lebanon has been facing a “garbage crisis” for the past three months or so and yet nobody seems to be shouting “Cholera! Cancer! Typhoid! Diarrhea! Skin diseases! Stomach pain…”
The garbage crisis unfortunately, is not merely political, but also presents a health crisis.
Today our children may be safe, but with the coming winter wet season, the problems are likely to spread.
The crisis began with the overload of trash (more than 10 million tons) accumulating in the landfill in Naameh.
After Naameh was finally closed by the government, municipalities began dumping trash in various open-air locations, in areas such as Broumana, Beit Mery, Dekwaneh and many forests filled with greenery and trees in addition to empty rivers such as Nahr Beirut, in the heart of the capital. The burning of garbage was also reported in multiple areas, which is even more dangerous.
The situation is bad enough currently, but with fall around the corner, the weather will soon bring heavy rainstorms that will cause the garbage to disintegrate, leaching containment into underground water reserves. These reserves serve as the main source of water for much of Lebanon. If contaminants from the open garbage piles seep into them, we are bound to get our share of this pollution from our drinking, household and irrigation water.
In the capital, recently circulated images of Nahr Beirut show huge piles of garbage blocking the path of the now-scarcely flowing river.
In just a few short months, the winter rains will begin washing through the channel, and it will be a catastrophe if the trash isn't removed by then. The river already overflows on a regular basis in the winter, if it is full of garbage when it does so, the trash will flood the neighborhoods surrounding the river, bringing pest problems, chemical pollution and more.
Here’s a list of some of the results of this garbage crisis on our overall health:
,- Did you know that these toxins found in our water are not easily filtered and purified by simple water purification methods, currently found in our homes?
- Did you know that the garbage found in our landfills contaminate the air we breathe, with various toxic substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane which lead to many deadly respiratory diseases?
- Did you know that cholera, typhoid, dysentery and Dengue fever are some of the most known deadliest diseases that are contracted by individuals who consume the water contaminated by landfills, and with the increase of temperature in these areas, individuals are more susceptible to getting ill?
- Did you know that the flies that are visiting the garbage are the same flies that are roaming around your lunch buffet, dropping their offspring on your plate and by doing so, increasing your risk of contracting salmonella which causes typhoid fever, food poisoning, gastroenteritis, enteric fever and other major illnesses?
- Did you know that the contaminated soil becomes a source of toxicity for the fruits and vegetables that we consume, and consequently affecting the animals that feed on it?
- Did you know that the rate of cancer increases in populations exposed to untreated chemicals such as cyanides, polychlorinated biphenyls and mercury, being highly toxic and sometimes even deadly?
According to the atlas composed of a team of academics and waste professionals on four continents: “The most common environmental issues … relate to surface water, groundwater and soil contamination from potentially toxic elements; air pollution from open-surface burning of materials, underground fires fuelled by landfill gas and gas leakage…The most common human health issues are diseases related to gastro-intestinal, dermatological, respiratory and genetic systems, and several other types of infectious diseases. The nearby populations experience diarrhea, headaches, chest pains, irritation of the skin, nose and eyes, typhoid and stomach ulcers.”
If at the moment, we are unable to find a solution for our landfills, the pile-up of our garbage near our homes and on our streets, we need to at least make sure we are protecting ourselves and our children from the contraction of waterborne, airborne or foodborne diseases:
,- Wash your hands with water and soap every time you shake hands with a person, handle raw food, throw the rubbish, make contact with an animal, before drinking or eating, after you use the toilet.
- Wear disposable surgical masks (purchased at any pharmacy) to avoid respiratory complications.
- Start recycling your garbage and decrease your contribution to the crisis.
Is the air we are breathing clean? No! Is the food and water we are consuming healthy? Not anymore! How is the garbage affecting our health? Critically! What can possibly happen to our children? Are we now more susceptible to cancer? What is yet to come? It’s time for a major change!
It’s about time we consider asking ourselves and our doctors these questions and most importantly taking action.
Our weekly installment from eTobb’s blog featuring health tips, medical information and valuable advice from medical professionals. For previous posts click here .