IN THE NAME of tradition and for a few fleeting moments of fun, the toxic New Year revelry each year encourages consumers to put the lives and health of many Filipinos at risk.
Are the lives of our families and friends worth the tradeoff of celebrating New Year? Why do we continue to willfully damage the environment and our health by using toxic, dangerous and pollutive substances when there are so many alternatives available?
The campaign of the Department of Health (DOH) did not dissuade a considerable number of people from setting off firecrackers and fireworks to welcome 2023. Was the toxic fun really worth it?
A different kind of haze covered many areas as the noise of the New Year celebration faded — smog from firecrackers and fireworks, plus the trash. In light of these environmental concerns, we must examine the aftermath of the revelry.
To the already contaminated air that we breathe, the extra pollutants in the atmosphere have added another level of danger. We hope all of us did not suffer from aggravated respiratory ailments such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Aside from carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and other contaminants, the blasting of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices releases tiny airborne matters or aerosols into the community air. These are collectively referred to as total suspended particulates (TSP), a barometer for air pollution. Studies indicate that fine particles in the air can penetrate the upper respiratory tract and be deposited deep in a person’s lungs. Sectors at most risk from exposure to these minute pollutants are children, the elderly and people with heart and lung diseases.
Meanwhile, the most visible post-revelry discards were firecracker residues, cigarette butts, plastic bags, plastic bottles, paper and plastic food wrappers, polystyrene containers, food leftovers, soiled boxes and newspapers. We are saddened to see how litterbugs reared their ugly heads again at the boisterous festivities to welcome the New Year. It could be an ominous sign of another year of messy garbage problems.
The unrestrained disposal is obviously not a splendid way to usher 2023.
