Residents of Bengaluru are facing new health hazards as the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is burning garbage as a part of its massive clean-up drive.

The BBMP said on Monday that it had collected 10,000 tonnes of garbage from across the city over the past two days. BBMP Commissioner M. K. Shankarlinge Gowda said the garbage piles that were not disposed of since past 5-6 days would be cleared soon and they hoped to make the Garden City a clean haven once again.

The forced shut down of major landfills on the outskirts of made Bengaluru has made the city unlivable place. Massive piles of garbage have attracted hordes of stray animals and the city has become a breeding ground for diseases. Heavy rains over the past few days made things worse.

To dispose garbage, it is being burnt at collection sites. But, this move has encountered criticism by many, particularly from side of environmentalists, who have warned that burning of garbage would pollute the environment with various toxic gases.

The burning of garbage is adding dioxins to the environment, further increasing the level of pollution.

Speaking on the topic, noted environmentalist Dr. Yellapa Reddy said, “While the solid waste are being burnt, the un-burnt particles left behind emit hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide. These, when exposed to bright sunlight, generate secondary pollutants that are highly poisonous.”

Reddy urged the municipal corporation and the Pollution Control Board to act accordingly and come out with an immediate solution.

Addition of toxic gases like dioxins to the environment leads to some very serious health hazards, such as respiratory diseases and various types of cancer.